Kaizer Chiefs defender Rushwin Dortley has opened up on his recovery after sustaining an injury last season and undergoing surgery, missing out on important games in the process.
The side suffered a major defensive blow last season when Dortley got injured in March.
He had been a revelation for both club and country since bursting onto the scene at Cape Town Spurs the season prior. The months that followed were nothing short of a meteoric rise.
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The 23-year-old had played every match of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers for Bafana Bafana and not missed a single national team encounter since making his debut in September last year.
In his absence, Chiefs had turned to Given Msimango, who partnered up with Inacio Miguel in the heart of defence. However, Msimango himself also suffered a groin injury and is undergoing rehabilitation.
In some news that will come as relief for the fanbase, Dortley is now at the tail end of his recovery.
Speaking to the club's media, he admitted that it had been a difficult journey.
"I was tackled from the side," recalls Dortley.
"This is my first serious injury that needed an operation,
"One has to be strong mentally, as you want to play, but you can't. It's not easy, but I do know that there is light at the end of the tunnel."
He is part of the squad that travelled to the Netherlands for pre-season, and has enjoyed support from family and teammates as he edges closer to a return to action.
"I have a lot of support from my family.
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"My girlfriend, my father, my mother, my brother... They are all playing a huge role in my road to full recovery.
"That's how the team is.
"If one is injured, we can all feel the loss of a player. We are one!"
