Fresh injury raises left-back concerns for Kaizer Chiefs
· The South African
Kaizer Chiefs defender Paseka Mako has suffered yet another injury setback, raising fresh concerns over the left-back’s fitness ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The 32-year-old fractured his forearm during Chiefs’ pre-season friendly against Al-Kholood in Spain on Tuesday and has since returned to South Africa to undergo further medical assessment.
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In a statement, the club confirmed that Mako will be evaluated by a specialist before beginning his recovery.
“Mako has returned to South Africa for medical care and will consult a specialist orthopaedic surgeon for further assessment. He is expected to rejoin his teammates in the coming weeks once his recovery is underway,” Chiefs wrote in a statement.
Kaizer Chiefs suffer Mako blow
The injury is another frustrating blow for the former Orlando Pirates defender, who managed just 18 appearances in all competitions last season due to recurring fitness problems.
Chiefs did, however, provide a positive update on several other players, revealing that those who ended last season on the treatment table have returned to training and are pushing for places under new head coach Da Cruz.
Amakhosi will conclude their pre-season tour of Spain against La Liga side Elche before returning home, where they face Zimbabwean outfit Scottland FC in the Toyota Cup in Rustenburg on 26 July.
Mako joined Kaizer Chiefs after a seven-year spell with Orlando Pirates, where he made 115 appearances. However, injuries frequently disrupted his time at the Buccaneers, and his latest setback is likely to reignite concerns over his long-term durability.
With Bradley Cross currently the club’s first-choice left-back, Mako’s absence could leave Chiefs short of experienced cover, potentially forcing the club to explore additional options in the transfer market before the window closes.