No timeline on Dean’s return

SuperSport United and Bafana Bafana Dean Furman (above) has described his shoulder operation as a success, but it is not clear when he will return to action.

Furman ruptured ligaments in his shoulder in training on Saturday, and has to be a major doubt for Bafana Bafana’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at home to Nigeria next month.

“After taking a bad fall in training on Saturday, I unfortunately ruptured the ligaments in my shoulder. Yesterday I had a successful operation to repair the joint,” Furman tweeted yesterday.

Furman’s injury represents a major blow for both club and country as the 30-year-old had been in excellent form, helping SuperSport reach the MTN8 final, and playing superbly for Bafana in a goalless draw with Libya in an Afcon qualifier in September.

Even without their captain, SuperSport reached the quarterfinals of the Telkom Knockout on Sunday, beating Polokwane City on penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal time. That set up a last-8 rematch with Kaizer Chiefs, who they have already beaten over two legs in the MTN8 semifinals.

SuperSport next face Golden Arrows at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday, after drawing with Polokwane City and Baroka FC.

Kaitano Tembo’s side have made a fine start to their league season nonetheless, currently three points behind leaders Bidvest Wits, with a game in hand.