On Thursday, the Serbian coach told this website that he will return to South Africa from Serbia next week after leaving the country due to illness.
READ: Eagles without coach Kosta Papic
But today, the former Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs coach told KickOff.com that he will need a few more weeks to fully recover.
"Tell everyone I will come [back to South Africa] on 15 May,” Papic tells this website.
The coach remained tight-lipped on the specifics of his illness but did reveal his proposed surgery will be more complicated than first anticipated.
”I will be there for the playoffs [but] the operation is more [than we thought before, it’s more difficult. But I'm strong, and I will come back more strong."