Today’s Kaizer Chiefs news wrap looks at injury updates, rumours of talks with Manqoba Mngqithi and Steven Mendes’ rise.

Da Cruz is under the pump

After just eight games of the new Betway Premiership campaign, Kaizer Chiefs are already trailing leaders Sundowns by nine points, and Orlando Pirates by eight. They’ve only triumphed in one of their last seven clashes across all competitions and drawn more matches than they’ve won. Ironically, they’re unbeaten in the league but far off the title pace.

Is one trophy in 10 years good enough for Kaizer Chiefs?

With just a solitary piece of silverware in the last 10 years (a Nedbank Cup triumph in last year’s final against Pirates), it’s difficult to escape the conclusion that Chiefs are horribly underachieving, given their fanbase and huge financial might. If results don’t improve quickly, it’s easy to envisage Da Cruz being sacked before Christmas. If they’re out of contention for CAF Champions League football, that should be the final nail in his coffin. Next up for the Glamour Boys is a Telkom Knockout clash against TS Galaxy at Soccer City on Tuesday, 27 October at 19:00. Playmaker Lebohang Maboe is still unavailable through injury. Lebohang Maboe is still out with an injury.

Is Mngqithi the favourite to succeed Da Cruz at Kaizer Chiefs?

According to Siseko Gwegwe, Chiefs are exploring the idea of appointing Manqoba Mngqithi.

Steven Mendes is the real deal

18-year-old Steven Mendes won the Golden Boot at the recent COSAFA U20 tournament in Maputo, Mozambique. Mendes, nominally a midfielder, was converted into a striker for the event. He’s nicknamed ‘Stevie G’ by some teammates and could feature for the senior side sooner rather than later.