Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Sibongiseni ‘Ox’ Mthethwa has provided an update regarding his injury recovery progress as the Betway Premiership second round begins to heat up.
The 31-year-old sustained a knee injury last month. He is expected to be on the sidelines for at least a few months, leaving a noticeable void in the Amakhosi’s midfield.
Before the setback, Mthethwa had been a cornerstone of the squad, featuring in 18 games across all competitions for the Glamour Boys this campaign.
His absence comes at a critical time as the club looks to solidify its position in the top three of the Betway Premiership table.
Mthethwa is not the only Chiefs player who is currently on the sidelines. Players such as George Matlou, Thabo Cele, Bradley Cross, Reeve Frosler, and Fiacre Ntwari are also out nursing their respective injuries.
‘IT’S BEEN HARD’: SIBONGISENI MTHETHWA REFLECTS ON HIS INJURY SETBACK
Reflecting on his time away from the pitch, Mthethwa admitted that his injury recovery journey hasn’t been easy, but he remains optimistic that he will be back soon.
“It’s been hard, but I’m getting there and improving. Hopefully, I will be back soon, even though I can’t say exactly when that will be,” said Mthethwa. “This is my first time dealing with a long-term injury, but the support from the team, including the doctors, has been great. Even my teammates are helping me a lot.”
While minor knee sprains can see a player return within 1–3 weeks, more severe soft tissue damage typically requires 3–6 weeks. However, should the injury involve complex cartilage damage or a surgical ACL repair, the rehabilitation process could sideline the player for 3–12 months.
One silver lining to Mthethwa’s injury has been the emergence of Chiefs’ DDC captain, Thulani Mabaso. The youngster has transitioned to the senior side, making his debut and filling the void in the heart of the Amakhosi midfield.
Chiefs will now shift their focus to their next game against Al Masry in the CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium. The match is set to start at 15:00.
The Soweto giants are currently placed third in Group D with seven points after four outings, just a point behind group leaders, Zamalek SC.
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