Flavio Silva and Evidence Makgopa among injury return hopefuls after Fifa break

The three-week Fifa break, the longest in recent history, could give a number of injured players time to recover before domestic football resumes.

Among the players who may return are Kaizer Chiefs striker Flavio Silva, Orlando Pirates forward Evidence Makgopa and fellow Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha. Chiefs forward Khanyisa Mayo has also made progress after surgery and could be back in competitive action.

Flavio Silva

Silva has been absent since scoring in Kaizer Chiefs’ opening league match of the season, a 3-1 victory over newcomers Kruger United at Mbombela Stadium in August.

The 30-year-old striker has missed Chiefs’ past seven matches, but has now returned to full training. He could be available for the club’s next league fixture, at home against Stellenbosch on October 17.

Evidence Makgopa

Makgopa has not played in any of Orlando Pirates’ matches this season after undergoing surgery for patellar tendinitis.

The 27-year-old suffered the injury after the World Cup, where he played in all four of Bafana’s matches. Pirates confirmed last week that Makgopa had resumed full training.

His return could come in the MTN8 final, when Pirates face Mamelodi Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium on October 10.

Khanyisa Mayo

Mayo underwent a hernia operation shortly after the conclusion of the previous campaign.

The surgery ruled the 27-year-old out of Chiefs’ pre-season trip to Spain, but he has already featured in several friendlies. He is now poised to return to competitive football when the Fifa break ends.

Thalente Mbatha

Mbatha has been sidelined by a knee injury since August 10, but, like Makgopa, he has returned to full training.

The Pirates midfielder has made only one appearance this season. He played the full 120 minutes in the club’s 2-1 victory over Durban City in the MTN8 quarter-finals at Orlando Amstel Arena.

His return to training could provide a significant boost to Orlando Pirates ahead of their MTN8 final meeting with Sundowns in Durban.