Mahlangu blow for Bafana

Midfielder May Mahlangu is facing a long layoff after suffering a serious injury during a training session with Swedish club Helsingborg. Picture: Anesh Debiky / Gallo Images

Midfielder May Mahlangu is facing a long layoff after suffering a serious injury during a training session with Swedish club Helsingborg. Picture: Anesh Debiky / Gallo Images

Published Jul 23, 2013

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Johannesburg – Midfielder May Mahlangu is facing a long layoff after suffering a serious injury during a training session with Swedish club Helsingborg, the SA Football Association said on Tuesday.

“It is always terrible when a Bafana Bafana player gets injured and is not available for selection,” Bafana Bafana head coach Gordon Igesund said in a statement.

“I wish him a speedy recovery and hope he is back in action soon.”

Mahlangu will undergo surgery on Wednesday for his Achilles tendon injury and is expected to be out of action for up to four months.

He will miss Bafana Bafana's clashes against Nigeria on August 14, in Durban, and Burkina Faso on August 17 in Johannesburg.

He will also be out of action for South Africa's crucial 2014

World Cup qualifier against Botswana in September. Mahlangu is sad that he will not take part in Bafana’s upcoming matches.

“I would have loved to be there to represent my country but circumstances alter cases. I have great confidence, however, that whoever is selected will do a good job,” Mahlangu said by statement.

“It will be sad watching from the sidelines, knowing you cannot help your teammates, because we all want to see our country do well. The guys have my full support. What is important for me now is to focus on my recovery process.”

Mahlangu's contract with Helsingborg ends in December and he had hopes of moving to one of the bigger leagues in Turkey, England or France.

“It’s one of those things. Injuries are part of the game. I just have to be positive and get back on my feet,” he said.

“Yes it is a setback, but it is not the end of the world, I must just take it one day at a time and not rush coming back as it might affect me in the long run.”

Mahlangu will start his rehabilitation in Sweden, immediately after the operation, and is expected to return home to continue his recovery. – Sapa

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