South Africa international Sphephelo Sithole has undergone surgery on his leg after suffering a nasty injury in a recent assignment.
The Gil Vicente player was part of Hugo Broos' team that played South Sudan on Tuesday in Group K of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations game staged at the Juba Stadium.
He was stretchered off the field in the 72nd minute with Orlando Pirates' Thalente Mbatha taking his place to inspire Bafana to a 3-2 win.
Sithole operation successful
Safa Chiefs Medical Officer Dr. Thulani Ngwenya proposed the procedure to be administered to help the player recover as soon as possible.
“We are so happy to see him in such high spirits, just a day after the operation. He is in such a positive frame of mind that you can’t help but be inspired. May he continue his recovery and return to the pitch when he ready,” Safa president Danny Jordaan said at Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg as quoted by the federation's media team.
Sithole was left delighted by the support he received, “Thank you to everybody for their prayers, well wishes, and support, it means a lot. Thank you to my teammates, the coaches, the doctors, SAFA, the fans, and the country at large,” he stated.
When will Sithole return to action?
According to Dr. Ngwenya, the 25-year-old might not play competitive football again this year for both club and country.
“We are very happy with his progress and he is already walking with the aid of his physio. We expect him to be back in action in about 10 to 12 weeks.”
It is a massive blow for Hugo Broos considering the fact that in October, South Africa will play Congo in back-to-back matches in Group K, before concluding their pool games in November. It will be a massive opportunity for Mbatha to show his quality because he will get more playing time for the national team.
