The three-week Fifa break, the longest in recent history, could allow several injured players to return when domestic football resumes.
Kaizer Chiefs striker Flavio Silva and Orlando Pirates forward Evidence Makgopa are among those who may be available for important fixtures in October.
Silva has not played since scoring in Chiefs’ opening league match of the season, a 3-1 victory over newcomers Kruger United at Mbombela Stadium in August. The 30-year-old missed the club’s following seven matches but has now resumed full training.
He could return for Chiefs’ next league game, at home against Stellenbosch on October 17.
Makgopa has also returned to full training, according to Pirates last week, after missing every match for the club so far this season.
The 27-year-old striker underwent surgery for patellar tendinitis after sustaining the injury following the World Cup. He played in all four of Bafana’s matches at the tournament.
Makgopa could be involved when Pirates meet Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on October 10.
Chiefs and Pirates receive further boosts
Khanyisa Mayo is another Chiefs player who could return to competitive football after the international break.
The 27-year-old had surgery for a hernia shortly after the previous campaign ended, which ruled him out of Chiefs’ Spanish pre-season programme. Mayo has since featured in several friendlies and is expected to be ready for competitive action when the Fifa break concludes.
Pirates could also welcome back Thalente Mbatha, who has been out with a knee injury since August 10.
Mbatha, like Makgopa, has returned to full training. He has played just once this season, completing 120 minutes in Pirates’ 2-1 MTN8 quarter-final victory over Durban City at Orlando Amstel Arena.
His return could provide a significant boost to the club before the MTN8 final against Sundowns in Durban.
