Kaizer Chiefs sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr has made an admission about Thulani Mabaso’s return to the first team after the midfielder featured in the club’s DStv Diski Challenge side this past week.
Mabaso played for Chiefs in the opening match of the 2026/27 DDC campaign as the Glamour Boys defeated rivals Orlando Pirates 3-2 on Sunday afternoon at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu.
The left-footed midfielder made his return to competitive football with the reserve side after missing action in the past few months due to a long-term injury. Mabaso was promoted to the senior team last season after helping Amakhosi win the DDC title in the 2024/25 season.
The talented central midfielder had several cameos in the first team last season under the co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze, who have since left the club in the off-season.
In the previous campaign, Mabaso registered seven appearances across all competitions before suffering an injury that kept him out of the closing stages of the 2025/26 season.
WHAT KAIZER MOTAUNG JR SAID ABOUT MABASO’S RETURN TO FIRST TEAM
With the youngster working on sharpening his match fitness, he has been given minutes in the Chiefs reserve side, where he produced an impressive performance against Pirates.
Chiefs sporting director has reflected on the results against the Buccaneers while also admitting that Mabaso is close to returning to the first team.
“It was truly a gallant effort by the boys in their opening fixture,” Motaung Jr told the Chiefs media department.
“We were also happy to see senior team midfielder Thulani Mabaso play his first competitive match since picking up an injury a few months ago. His return means he is getting closer to match readiness for the first team.”
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