Thulani Mabaso made his long-awaited return to the pitch in a high-stakes youth Soweto Derby, playing a key role as the Amakhosi youngsters edged Orlando Pirates 3-2. The match at Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu served as the final step in the midfielder's recovery roadmap after he spent months on the sidelines recovering from a significant injury.
For the Glamour Boys, the return of the left-footed technician provides a vital boost to squad depth as the club looks to integrate the talent back into the senior setup. Mabaso, who was promoted to the first team following a successful 2024/25 DStv Diski Challenge title campaign, offers a proven creative presence in the center of the park that the senior squad has been missing during his absence.
According to Goal.com and FARPost ZA, the midfielder previously recorded seven appearances across all competitions in the 2025/26 season before his injury ended his campaign early. Sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr confirmed that the playmaker's involvement with the reserve side was a successful test, noting that Mabaso is now rapidly approaching full match readiness.
While the first-team coaching staff monitors his progress, the midfielder's participation in the opening fixture of the DDC campaign serves as a clear signal that he is nearing a return to senior duty. The club expects his fitness levels to continue rising as he transitions away from the reserve circuit and back into the primary selection pool for upcoming matches.