Siphelele Ntshangase has not made the starting lineup in Kaizer Chiefs’ last three games, but coach Giovanni Solinas insists that there are ‘no particular reasons’ behind his absence.

The attacking midfielder was relegated to the bench for Amakhosi’s clashes against SuperSport United, Black Leopards and Chippa United, with Solinas opting to field three different midfield trios.

When asked about the absence of the former Black Leopards man, the Italian mentor stated that balance was needed in the engine room, but suggested that Ntshangase would return to the starting lineup after the international break.

‘No particular reasons,’ Solinas responded when asked about Ntshangase’s absence.

‘In the last three games, we played with Katsande-Maluleka, Katsande and Dax, because in this moment we need balance in the midfield. In the last three games, we haven’t conceded a goal.

‘Not only the defence is playing well but also in front of the defence, the midfielders, they did a good job.

‘Ntshangase is a very good player but Ntshangase is more offensive, a more attacking midfielder.

‘In this moment we need two midfielders, two pit bulls to recover the ball. But Ntshangase is a very good player, me, I believe in him.

‘Ntshangase starts the process in improving the offensive job, because Ntshangase is very good. But in the future Ntshangase will play again,’ he concluded.

Chiefs do duty against arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in the second Soweto derby encounter of the season after the Fifa break in the Telkom Knockout semi-finals at a sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium on 24 November with kick-off set for 3pm.

Photo: Gallo Images