‘It’s good to be back with the Bafana Bafana’, says Sphephelo Sithole after 10-month layoff

South African midfielder Sphephelo Sithole has reacted to his return to the national team.

Speaking ahead of the game against Zimbabwe, the midfielder said it feels good to be back with the team.

The 26-year-old is back in the Bafana Bafana after a 10-month layoff as a result of a horrific injury that almost ended his career.

It can be recalled that in 2024, Sphephelo Sithole suffered a fracture to his tibia and fibula in a horror injury against South Sudan in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Back with the Bafana Bafana, the midfielder says he thought his career was over when he suffered the injury.

“I would like to thank God for giving me the opportunity to play football again, because that injury I got, I thought maybe it was the end of my career, but fortunately I’m here again, back with the team,” Sithole told SAFA Media.

He continued, “It’s good to be back in the team, I can see the spirit is very good and the guys were doing good while I was away, and I was always watching them playing, so I’m proud to be back here with the team again.”

Sphephelo Sithole could feature for Bafana Bafana on Friday when they take on Zimbabwe in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.