Bafana Bafana and Chicago Fire defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi has returned to action after a three-month injury layoff.
The 21-year-old centre-back featured in the early hours of the morning as Chicago Fire secured a 1-0 away victory over Charlotte in MLS action.
Mbokazi’s last competitive appearance came in June, when Bafana Bafana suffered a 1-0 defeat to Canada in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32.
After returning to club football, Mbokazi suffered a severe thigh tear during training in July. He subsequently underwent surgery in Finland in August.
The injury ruled him out of South Africa’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea, as well as the friendly against Egypt.
His spell on the sidelines also put a pause on potential moves to Europe, with unnamed clubs reportedly showing interest in the defender following the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
Meanwhile, fellow South African Brody Williams was an unused substitute for Chicago Fire in the same match.