Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana are possibly facing a major blow as a key player's injury could be worse than previously believed and may rule him out of action for the next month.
Amakhosi are in Betway Premiership action against Cape Town City at FNB Stadium on Wednesday (19:30).
It has been confirmed that Happy Mashiane, Samkelo Zwane and Tashreeq Morris are all ruled out of the match due to injury.
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Now, worryingly for Nabi, Chiefs are set to be without Rushwin Dortley for at least a month due to an injury that will require the defender to undergo an operation, according to sources close to proceedings at The Village.
The knee 'discomfort' was initially believed to be a minor issue, but fresh information reaching this publication is that a knee operation has been recommended as a preventative measure.
The left-footer has played 21 matches in his first season at the side, becoming first choice at left centre-back.
His absence presents a fresh headache for the Tunisian-Belgian coach, with the club having sold another left-footed central defender, in Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, mid-February.
Dortley's injury will also come as a blow for Bafana too, as he is considered one of the key players in the squad.
He played every match of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers and has not missed a single national team encounter since making his debut in September last year.
Broos' troops, who take on Lesotho in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on 21 March and Benin four days later, will be without Dortley for both matches.
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The 22-year-old has been a revelation for both club and country since he burst onto the scene at Cape Town Spurs just last season. The months that followed have been nothing short of a meteoric rise.
In his absence, the Soweto giants will likely turn to Given Msimango, who has partnered up with Inacio Miguel in the last two games.
Edmilson Dove's return will also provide some steel to the side's rearguard, while Zitha Kwinika is linked with an exit, as reported by KickOff.com on Tuesday.