The confirmation of the fact that Themba Zwane will be forced out of action for up to six months at worst will come with notable effects for the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder.
Zwane underwent surgery last week after arriving back from Brazzaville, where he picked up a partial rupture while on Bafana Bafana duty in a Group K AFCON qualifier against Congo.
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It has since been confirmed by Sundowns that the veteran midfielder will not play for four months at best, which could stretch to six at worst.
There is a window of hope that it could be a slightly lesser period out considering his fitness condition, but his age will be a factor of note.
Whatever will become the date of his return will be next year, leaving him at the risk of missing 30-40 games.
The 35-year-old will not play all four games in the Carling Knockout if Sundowns reach the final, just like he will not be involved in all six CAF Champions League group stage matches to run until January 18.
Sundowns will play almost 20 league matches over the next four months, which is the minimum estimation for Zwane's return.
The consequence of this is that he will no longer reach 29 appearances as he had only played five for his club this season before the unfortunate injury.
Twenty-nine is the least number of games that Zwane has played in a single season for the Tshwane giants over the last 10 years at the club since his return from a season-long loan at Mpumalanga Black Aces.
His average appearances count has been just under 40 per season through the last decade with his minutes average standing at 2900 minutes per season.
Just last term, Zwane's shift was 41 matches and was the reason why he has been able to play all but one of the last 19 Bafana Bafana games.
Before that, it was 36, 42, 34, 41, 39, 40, 38, 39 and 29 (2014/15 season) wearing the Sundowns colours.
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Zwane will also suffer a further drop on his value based on Transfermarkt's evaluation.
The biggest subject will be around his contract as he is into the last season of his current deal.
'Mshishi' has been under contract at Chloorkop since January 2011 when he arrived from amateur club Vardos.