Kaizer Chiefs’ European pre-season preparations have been dealt a severe blow after defender Paseka Mako suffered a serious injury during the club’s training camp.
Amakhosi are currently in camp in Spain under the guidance of head coach Fernando Da Cruz as they gear up for the upcoming 2026/27 Betway Premiership campaign.
While preparations for the new season are going well, the Soweto giants suffered a major setback during their latest friendly match against Al Khalood on Wednesday at the Pinatar Arena Football Centre in Spain.
According to a statement released by the club on Friday morning, the former Orlando Pirates defender, Mako, fractured his forearm during the practice match against the Saudi Arabian outfit. The defender has already flown back to South Africa to seek specialised medical attention.
Healing from such an injury is a gradual process. Medical experts at the Reno Orthopaedic Centre note that while a broken forearm generally takes six to 12 weeks to fully heal, achieving full strength and movement can take between three and six months.
This lengthy rehabilitation window means Amakhosi fans face a long wait to see the dynamic left-back back in action, and Mako will likely miss the entire first half of the 2026/27 season.
KAIZER CHIEFS’ OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON PASEKA MAKO’S INJURY
“Mako has returned to South Africa for medical care and will consult a specialist orthopaedic surgeon for further assessment,” the club announced. “He is expected to rejoin his teammates in the coming weeks once his recovery is underway.”
However, despite the injury blow to Mako, all is not lost in the Glamour Boys’ camp. While Chiefs have 2026 FIFA World Cup participant Bradley Cross and Nkanyiso Shinga to rely on at left-back, squad depth will still be heavily tested. Amakhosi face a demanding schedule this season as they return to the MTN8 fold and compete in the CAF Confederation Cup, alongside their Betway Premiership and domestic cup campaigns.
On a positive note, Chiefs confirmed that several players who spent the bulk of last season in the medical room have successfully resumed full training. Their return to the pitch offers a timely boost to the squad depth, intensifying competition for places as players fight to impress the new technical team.
“On a brighter note, several players who ended last season on the injury list have resumed training and are eager to fight for selection under Da Cruz,” the statement continued.
TOYOTA CUP TEST AWAITS KAIZER CHIEFS AGAINST SCOTTLAND FC
Chiefs will soon wrap up their European tour to head back home for their first official pre-season test on Southern African soil.
Amakhosi are scheduled to face Zimbabwean side Scottland FC in the highly anticipated Toyota Cup. The clash is set to take place in Rustenburg on 26 July.
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