Lebohang Maboe’s return to the Bafana Bafana setup has taken an unexpected turn, but head coach Pitso Mosimane is not ready to give up on the Kaizer Chiefs midfielder.
Maboe arrived at the national team camp carrying an ankle problem after being forced off during Kaizer Chiefs’ goalless Betway Premiership draw against Golden Arrows. Instead of immediately releasing him back to his club, Mosimane has decided to keep the midfielder with Bafana Bafana while the medical team assesses his condition.
The decision means Maboe still has an opportunity to feature during what is a lengthy international camp for South Africa, although his involvement will depend on how his ankle responds and what the medical assessment reveals.
According to Mosimane, Maboe has already undergone a scan, with the results expected to help determine how much he can participate in the national team’s upcoming programme. The coach also explained that the medical team has advised caution rather than rushing the player back into action.
Maboe’s injury arrived at the worst possible time
The injury came only days after Maboe earned his place in Mosimane’s first Bafana Bafana squad.
The Kaizer Chiefs midfielder had been selected after working his way into the national-team picture through his performances at club level. His inclusion was therefore an important moment in his international career, particularly because he had been away from the Bafana setup for several years.
That opportunity was suddenly placed in doubt during Chiefs’ meeting with Golden Arrows at Mbombela Stadium.
Maboe started the match but was unable to finish it, leaving the field around the hour mark. Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz confirmed that the substitution was related to the injury rather than a tactical decision.
For a player who had just secured a place in the national squad, the timing could hardly have been more frustrating.
However, his immediate arrival at the Bafana camp meant that Mosimane and the national-team medical staff could assess the situation themselves.
Mosimane explains why Maboe remains with Bafana
Rather than making an immediate decision to send Maboe back to Kaizer Chiefs, Mosimane has chosen to give the midfielder time.
The Bafana coach described the problem as a “niggling ankle” injury and explained that doctors had advised the technical team to handle the situation carefully.
Importantly, Mosimane did not suggest that Maboe was guaranteed to play. Instead, the coach indicated that the medical assessment would determine how far the midfielder can progress during the camp.
That distinction is important because South Africa have several matches ahead, meaning Maboe potentially has more time to recover than he would during a normal single-match international window.
“We have a three-week camp,” Mosimane explained, adding that the scan would help establish the extent of the problem.
For now, Maboe therefore remains part of the group rather than being ruled out.
Why the three-week camp matters
South Africa’s schedule gives Maboe some additional time to work towards fitness.
Bafana are preparing for a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign that begins against Guinea at Orlando Stadium on 26 September. South Africa will then face Eritrea in Egypt on 30 September before taking on Egypt in an international friendly on 4 October.
That schedule creates different possibilities for Maboe.
If the scan and subsequent recovery programme show that he needs more time, there is no reason to assume that he must immediately be involved in the first fixture. The medical team can monitor his progress and determine whether he can safely return to training and eventually match action.
That is also why Mosimane’s decision to retain him in camp is significant.
Keeping the player with the squad allows the national-team staff to continue monitoring him while he works towards recovery. It also gives Maboe the chance to remain integrated with the group rather than immediately ending his international opportunity.
A difficult moment after earning his recall
Maboe’s situation is particularly frustrating because his Bafana recall represented the reward for his recent work at Kaizer Chiefs.
The midfielder had not appeared for South Africa since a friendly against Uganda in June 2021, when Bafana recorded a 3-2 victory. His return to the national-team environment therefore marked a significant development in his career.
An injury immediately after earning that opportunity naturally creates uncertainty.
But Mosimane’s comments suggest that the coaching staff are willing to give the player time rather than making a premature decision.
The coach acknowledged that Maboe had worked hard to earn his place in the squad and expressed hope that he would recover sufficiently to play a role.
That does not mean his participation is guaranteed. The scan, medical monitoring and his response to rehabilitation will ultimately determine whether he can contribute on the pitch.
What happens next for Maboe?
The immediate priority is recovery.
Maboe will remain under observation while the medical team determines the seriousness of his ankle problem. The national-team staff will then be able to make decisions based on his progress rather than speculation.
For Bafana supporters, the key point is that Maboe has not been ruled out.
Mosimane has left the door open for the Chiefs midfielder to make his return to international football, while also making it clear that the medical team must be cautious.
That approach is understandable given the demanding schedule ahead. South Africa have competitive matches to prepare for, but protecting a player’s fitness is equally important.
For Maboe, the next few days could therefore be crucial.
He has already overcome one hurdle by earning his place in Mosimane’s squad. His latest challenge is now to recover from the ankle problem and prove that he can safely return to training.
Until the medical team provides further clarity, there is no need to write off his Bafana Bafana comeback.
Mosimane has kept him in camp, and with three matches scheduled during the extended international period, Maboe still has a chance to turn an unfortunate injury setback into another chapter in his return to the national team.
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