This archive report was first published on 8 October 2019.
Kenyan football fans will be relieved to know that Harambee Stars defender Brian Mandela is on the road to recovery after suffering a career-threatening injury in June 2019.
According to Soccer Laduma, Mandela has been training with Orlando Pirates for the past week, a development that could potentially lead to a contract offer from the top South African club.
The 25-year-old's chances of securing a deal with Pirates are boosted by his previous working relationship with assistant coach Fadlu Davids, whom he worked with at Maritzburg United.
Mandela is currently a free agent after being released by Maritzburg United at the end of last season.
Considered one of the best defenders in Kenyan football, Mandela damaged his cruciate ligaments while on a training camp with the national team in France.
He had been selected by then Harambee Stars coach Sebastian Migne to feature in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, but unfortunately missed out due to the injury.
Before his injury, Mandela had previously turned out for Kenya's Tusker and South Africa's Sanlam Santos.
