Fungai Muderere
ROVING Highlanders right back MaClive Phiri bounced back to full training on Tuesday following his two months injury lay-off that saw him fight through a right humerus fracture.
The humerus is the bone between the elbow and shoulder.
The ginger-haired utility player crashed against a pole on 19 May after being pushed by Herentals midfielder Tinotenda Benza and was taken straight to hospital after being attended to by team medics, who were joined by former club doctor Xolani Ndlovu, who was in the crowd at Barbourfields Stadium.
Phiri had to undergo surgery for a speedy recovery. The defender’s uncle identified as Lindani, who is based in South Africa, footed the player’s bill for “urgent” surgery.
Fidelity Life Assurance, who signed a three-year sponsorship deal to cater for the medical welfare of Premier Soccer League players and technical officials were reportedly in the process of reimbursing Phiri.
“For the past two weeks, with the assistance of our team’s physiotherapist Loyal Nyika, Phiri has been undergoing intense physical therapy. He started full training on Tuesday and we are happy that he bounced back at a time we have been forced to field a makeshift defence,” said Highlanders technical manager Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu.
The player’s injury came at a time Bosso were waiting for the return of another right-back Bukhosi Ncube, who is still in the treatment room.
Ncube last featured for the Bulawayo soccer giants on 22 April when Bosso lost 1-0 at home to Triangle United.
The 21-year-old defender picked a knee injury and has been seeing an orthopaedic who has been monitoring his progress.
Consequently, Highlanders have been forced to field central defender Andrew Mbeba as Phiri and Ncube’s replacement. Owing to suspension Mbeba has not seen action in Bosso’s last two games and Mpofu and lieutenants were compelled to field Peter Muduhwa or Charlton Siamalonga as their right backs.
For the second consecutive week Bosso will be inactive as four of their players Muduhwa, captain Ariel Sibanda, Prince Dube and Nqobizitha Masuku are part of the Warriors Chan squad set to take on Mauritius at Emagumeni on Sunday.
The development has come as a blessing in disguise for the black and white army.
“I think this will help us to further assess our injured players. We cannot continue fielding a makeshift defence. We are in the league to compete and we hope that for our next league match, we will be spoilt for choice,” said Mpofu.
In their Week 17 tie set for Wednesday, Bosso will play host to Chapungu. In another midweek fixture, former champions Chicken Inn will square up against TelOne at a venue yet to be announced.
Last weekend, Gamecocks were not involved in the Week 16 fixtures as they had three players Xolani Ndlovu, Clive Augusto and Malvin Gaki on national duty.
Friday 2 August 2019
Yadah vs Mushowani Stars (Rufaro Stadium)
Saturday 3 August 2019
Herentals vs Bulawayo Chiefs (NSS), Dynamos vs Triangle United (Rufaro Stadium), Ngezi Platinum vs Harare City (Baobab Stadium), ZPC Kariba vs Hwange (Nyamhunga Stadium), FC Platinum vs Caps United (Mandava Stadium), Manica Diamonds vs Black Rhinos (Vengere Stadium)
Wednesday 7 August 2019
TelOne vs Chicken Inn (Luveve/Ascot), Highlanders vs Chapungu (Barbourfields Stadium)
