He had worked so hard to get fit again after a difficult time in Turkey, and was just getting into his stride that saw him make the Bafana Bafana team again.
Suddenly, though, things have taken a turn for the worse for Lebogang Manyama following his car accident on Tuesday involving three other cars in Johannesburg.
Manyama’s BMW looks it was a write-off, and he has been ruled out by Kaizer Chiefs for up to six weeks due to a fractured elbow.
But his coach Giovanni Solinas is thankful that the 28-year-old attacking midfielder has lived to tell the tale.
“I only saw the picture of the car, and I say it is a miracle (that he survived), it’s unbelievable. I can say God, thank you,” Solinas said at a PSL press conference ahead of Sunday’s Telkom Knockout last-16 clash against Black Leopards at the FNB Stadium (3.30pm).
“We are fighting against bad luck, but we will continue fighting, and we will win against this bad luck.
“We start with Joseph (Molangoane) fracturing his leg. After that, (Leonardo) Castro, now Lebo.
“But in Kaizer Chiefs, we have good players, and we have the solution and option in the squad. But it’s a pity about Lebo because he has good fitness and played an outstanding game in the Macufe Cup.”
Solinas’ injury problems don’t end there, as he is now sweating on the fitness of star attacker Khama Billiat, who got hurt on international duty for Zimbabwe in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
“Itu (Khune), Rama (Mphahlele), is okay. Godfrey Walusimbi is okay. Teenage (Hadebe) is okay. We have a small problem with Khama, so tomorrow with the doctor, we will make a decision,” the coach said.
“I think it’s not a serious problem, but I don’t know at the moment if Khama can play or not.
“(With Castro) Every day is much better. Today he trained with the team, and started to play a small side game. But he is not involved in tackles, and playing like a ‘free man’.”
Manyama was lucky to get outta this accident alive. God’s good and he must thank Him everyday🙏🏾 #Khosi4Life pic.twitter.com/AtcuNMmvUl
— The-Habman!👑 (@Habs_) October 17, 2018
@ashfakmohamed