Nomvethe out until next year

Johannesburg - Moroka Swallows coach Zeca Marques doesn't think Bafana Bafana striker Siyabonga Nomvethe will return to competitive action this year.

Nomvethe underwent surgery on an injured toe this week and faces an agonising wait before knowing how long he can expect to be sidelined.

A ligament in the 35-year-old's big toe was operated on, but until the swelling goes down, it is not known how long his recovery period will be.

'Bhele', as he's affectionately known by his team-mates, suffered the injury in Swallows' 3-0 victory over Orlando Pirates on September 1.

It cost him a spot in Gordon Igesund's squad for South Africa's friendlies against Brazil and Mozambique.

Marques, though, feels Nomvethe will do what ever it takes to be ready for action as soon as possible, especially with the African Cup of Nations on the horizon.

"If I know Nomvethe, he will push himself to get fit as soon as he can, but we think he might not be able to play again this year and can then come back after the mid-season break," Marques told SuperSport.