Massive blow for Nasreddine Nabi and Bafana Bafana as key Kaizer Chiefs defender is ruled out for the rest of the season

Rushwin Dortley has been injured and will undergo knee surgery, which will rule him out for the rest of the season.

The centre-back has already missed Kaizer Chiefs' last two games due to that knee injury.

“We will be assessing in the these next two days, Dortley where he is at; and Lilepo has had some discomfort and will be looking at him today," said Nabi.

A source also exclusively told GOAL that Dortley will be back during pre-season ahead of the 2025/26 campign.

In the two games Dortley has been absent, Given Msimango has stepped in for him, helping Chiefs concede just one goal.

Coach Nasreddine Nabi has other centre-back options like Inacio Miguel, Edmilson Dove, Zitha Kwinika and Aden McCarthy at his disposal.

Dortley will be hoping he will recover in time to make it to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals with Bafana Bafana.

Dortley will miss Chiefs' last 10 Premier Soccer League matches plus their Nedbank Cup semi-final match.

He is also out of Bafana Bafana's upcoming 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin.