The Bafana Bafana defender picked up the injury in the first half of the Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates as he fell awkwardly unchallenged. Team doctor Phil Maepa confirmed the sad news to the team management just before the afternoon training session.

"It's quite a serious injury," said Maepa. "There’s partial rapture of the Achilles tendon. He had an operation on Wednesday night. We are looking at the minimum of four to five months for his recovery process. He will then need another month in rehabilitation."

With the defending champions still in the title race, this will come as a major blow as Nzama has played a vital role at the back. However, coach Ted Dumitru believes there will be an equally reliable replacement.

Another defender, Nhlanhla Kubeka also appeared to struggle with injury and was later replaced in the second half. "Nhlanhla has what I will refer to as ‘the habitual injury-prone player’ because he’s got what we refer to as leg length discrepancy. One leg is shorter than the other and his pelvis will always be tilted and he will forever have groin problems," said Maepa.

Good news is that winger Arthur Zwane and defender Patrick Mabedi were all back to full training after minor injuries in the Soweto derby.

Chiefs will have to be at their best when they host Soweto neighbours Moroka Swallows at Soccer City in match will could determine whether they hold on to the championship or not.