Flavio Silva and Evidence Makgopa among injury-return contenders after Fifa break

The three-week Fifa break could give several South African football clubs a timely boost, with a number of injured players expected to be available when domestic action resumes.

Kaizer Chiefs striker Flavio Silva and Orlando Pirates forward Evidence Makgopa are among the high-profile names who may return, while club-mates Khanyisa Mayo and Thalente Mbatha are also closing in on competitive comebacks.

The current international interval is the longest in recent history and has provided additional recovery time for players who had been sidelined.

Silva has not played since scoring in Kaizer Chiefs’ opening league match of the season, a 3-1 victory over rookies Kruger United at Mbombela Stadium in August.

The 30-year-old missed the following seven matches but has now resumed full training. He could be included when Amakhosi host Stellenbosch in the league on October 17.

Makgopa has endured a longer absence. Orlando Pirates confirmed last week that the striker had returned to full training after recovering from patellar tendinitis.

The 27-year-old underwent surgery following the injury, which he suffered after the World Cup. He appeared in all four of Bafana’s matches at the tournament but has not played in any of Pirates’ games this season.

Makgopa could make his return in the MTN8 final, when Orlando Pirates meet Mamelodi Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium on October 10.

Chiefs and Pirates receive further fitness boost

Mayo is another Kaizer Chiefs player approaching a return. The 27-year-old underwent hernia surgery shortly after last season ended, ruling him out of the club’s Spanish pre-season programme.

He has since featured in several friendlies and is expected to return to competitive football after the Fifa break.

Pirates could also welcome back Mbatha before their meeting with Sundowns in Durban. The midfielder has been training fully after missing matches with a knee injury sustained on August 10.

Mbatha has made just one appearance this season, completing 120 minutes in Pirates’ 2-1 win over Durban City in the MTN8 quarter-finals at Orlando Amstel Arena.

His return gives the club another option ahead of the MTN8 final, with Pirates hoping to have both Mbatha and Makgopa available for the fixture.