The left-back position at Kaizer Chiefs has been plunged into immediate uncertainty. Amakhosi have officially confirmed that veteran defender Paseka Mako has left the pre-season camp in Europe and flown back to South Africa after suffering a fractured forearm during a friendly fixture against Saudi side Al-Kholood.
The 32-year-old is now scheduled to consult a specialist orthopedic surgeon to determine the full extent of the damage and outline a recovery timeline.
A Frustrating Cycle of Setbacks
For Mako, this latest blow is a devastatingly familiar story. Since making his high-profile switch to Naturena after a seven-year, 115-appearance stint with arch-rivals Orlando Pirates, the relentless defender has battled to keep his body match-fit:
- 2025/26 Campaign: Restrained to just 18 appearances across all competitions due to recurring fitness struggles.
- 2026/27 Campaign: Already facing a racing clock before the Betway Premiership season even kicks off.
While the club remains optimistic that he will rejoin the squad “in the coming weeks,” his history of durability issues is once again sounding major alarm bells for the technical team.
Transfer Market Panic Buttons Triggered?
Mako’s sudden absence exposes a glaring lack of depth in Coach Fernando Da Cruz’s defensive structures.
The Left-Back Dilemma: Currently, Bradley Cross stands as the club’s undisputed first-choice left-back. However, with Mako sidelined indefinitely, Amakhosi are left virtually starved of experienced cover on the left flank.
With the squad preparing to land back in South Africa for their high-profile Toyota Cup showdown against Scottland FC on July 26, management may be forced to plunge right back into the transfer market to secure defensive reinforcements before the window slams shut.
