Golden Arrows coach Pitso Dladla gives Jonah Fabisch injury update

Golden Arrows head coach Pitso Dladla says Zimbabwe international Jonah Fabisch is being monitored by the club’s medical team after suffering a minor injury in training.

Fabisch joined the Durban-based side during the off-season, signing in July as a free agent after leaving German club Erzgebirge Aue. The 24-year-old midfielder was brought in after being touted as a possible replacement for Isaac Cisse, who has since moved to Belgium.

Dladla confirmed Fabisch’s current situation after Golden Arrows’ MTN8 semi-final second-leg defeat by Mamelodi Sundowns at King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday.

“Ja, for now he is with our medical team. He sustained a minor injury at training, so they are working on him,” Dladla said.

The Arrows coach will now hope the injury does not keep Fabisch out for long, with the club preparing to face Mamelodi Sundowns again in the Betway Premiership on Saturday.

Golden Arrows’ MTN8 campaign ended with a 3-2 defeat by Miguel Cardoso’s side in the second leg. The result left the teams level at 3-3 on aggregate, but Mamelodi Sundowns progressed under the away goals rule.

The match marked a disappointing conclusion to Arrows’ cup hopes, although the two clubs will have little time apart before meeting again in the league. Dladla’s team will be looking to respond immediately when the Tshwane-based outfit returns to Durban.

Fabisch’s availability could therefore become an important consideration ahead of Saturday’s fixture. The midfielder was one of the players recruited by Golden Arrows in July and had been expected to add to the team’s options after Cisse’s departure.

For now, however, Fabisch remains in the care of the club’s medical staff as he works his way back from the training-ground injury. Dladla is hopeful that the Zimbabwean can make a swift recovery and be considered for the league meeting with Mamelodi Sundowns.

The fixture provides Golden Arrows with an opportunity to move on from their MTN8 disappointment, but the immediate focus will be on the condition of Fabisch and whether he can return in time for the weekend.