Pitso Mosimane Provides Lebohang Maboe Injury Update Ahead Of Bafana Bafana AFCON Qualifiers

Lebohang Maboe’s return to the Bafana Bafana setup has been met with an immediate fitness concern after the Kaizer Chiefs midfielder arrived at camp carrying an ankle injury. The experienced playmaker earned his place in Pitso Mosimane’s first national team squad after producing a strong run of form for Amakhosi. However, his return to international football has been complicated by the injury he suffered during Kaizer Chiefs’ recent domestic fixture against Golden Arrows. With South Africa preparing for a busy run of matches, the national team medical team is now carefully assessing Maboe’s condition. Mosimane has provided an update on the midfielder while making it clear that the player’s recovery will remain the priority.

Maboe picked up the ankle problem during Kaizer Chiefs’ goalless draw against Golden Arrows at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday. The 32-year-old was forced to leave the pitch around the hour mark after experiencing discomfort. The timing of the injury is particularly unfortunate because Maboe had just returned to the Bafana Bafana squad after more than five years away from international football. His performances for Kaizer Chiefs this season had earned him recognition from Mosimane and opened the door for another opportunity with the national team. Instead of arriving at camp at full fitness and preparing to compete for a place in the starting lineup, Maboe is now waiting for medical assessments to determine the seriousness of the problem.

Mosimane explained that Maboe is dealing with what he described as a niggling ankle injury. The coach also pointed out that the problem did not appear to come from a heavy challenge during the match. According to Mosimane, the medical team advised the coaching staff to be careful with the midfielder and allow him time to recover before making any decisions about his involvement. This cautious approach is understandable given the number of fixtures South Africa face during the current international period. Maboe will undergo a scan, with the results expected to provide a clearer indication of how long he may need to recover.

The Bafana Bafana coach said the medical team would use the scan results to determine the next step for the player. Mosimane explained that Maboe has worked hard to earn his return to the national team and acknowledged that the injury would be disappointing for the midfielder. However, the coach stressed that injuries are part of football and expressed hope that Maboe would recover. The national team will therefore avoid rushing the player back before his condition has been properly assessed. The decision on whether he can feature will depend on his recovery and the medical advice received by the technical team.

Maboe’s inclusion in Mosimane’s squad represents an important moment in the midfielder’s career. His last appearance for South Africa came in June 2021, when he featured in a friendly against Uganda. More than five years later, his return to the national team was made possible by his performances for Kaizer Chiefs. The midfielder has brought experience and versatility to the Amakhosi midfield, and his form has helped him regain the attention of the national team selectors. After such a long absence, the injury is therefore an especially frustrating development because Maboe now has to wait before he can show what he can contribute at international level.

The timing of the injury also comes as South Africa prepare for three important matches during the current camp. Bafana Bafana are scheduled to host Guinea in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture at Orlando Stadium on Saturday. They will then face Eritrea in Egypt on September 30 before taking on Egypt in a friendly on October 4. The extended camp gives the technical team some time to monitor Maboe’s recovery rather than having to make an immediate decision. It also means that the midfielder could potentially have more time to recover before the later fixtures, depending on the results of his scan and his progress in training.

For Mosimane, Maboe’s situation creates another selection consideration during an important period for the national team. The coach has only recently taken charge of Bafana Bafana and will be assessing different combinations as South Africa begin their qualification campaign. Having an experienced player such as Maboe available could give the team another midfield option, particularly because of his ability to operate in different roles. However, the coach will not want to risk aggravating the injury simply to make the player available for one match. Maboe’s long-term recovery will therefore remain more important than forcing an early return.

Maboe will also be eager to make the most of his opportunity after spending so long outside the national team setup. His return came after a period in which he had to rebuild his form and establish himself again at club level. Being selected by Mosimane showed that his recent performances had been noticed, but the injury has temporarily interrupted his preparations. For a player who has waited years for another chance to represent South Africa, missing a fixture because of an injury would naturally be disappointing. His immediate focus, however, will be on completing the necessary medical assessments and following the recovery plan provided by the national team staff.

The situation remains open because Maboe is still with the Bafana Bafana squad and has not been ruled out of the upcoming fixtures. The results of his scan should give the technical team a better understanding of the injury and help determine whether he can return to training and eventually compete for selection. The medical staff will continue monitoring him during the camp while Mosimane waits for further information. Until the assessment is complete, there is no certainty about how many matches Maboe could feature in. The priority is to make sure that the midfielder does not worsen the injury by returning before he is ready.

For Maboe, the hope will be that the ankle problem proves manageable and that he can still play some part in Bafana Bafana’s busy international schedule. His return to the national team has already been a significant milestone after more than five years away, and he now has an opportunity to continue his comeback once he is fit. Mosimane has made it clear that the player has worked hard to earn this chance, which makes his recovery particularly important. South Africa need to begin their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign strongly, but they must also manage the fitness of their players throughout the international window. Maboe’s progress will therefore be closely monitored as the team prepares for Guinea, Eritrea and Egypt.