Moorosi Tsiane
SUNDAWANA skipper Johannes ‘Mathoho’ Molapo has been ruled out of action for the remainder of the first round of matches after cracking a cuboid bone during their 0-2 loss to Lioli last weekend in a Vodacom Premier League match played at Maseru’s Setsoto Stadium.
The Makoanyane XI defender missed his footing 21 minutes into the game while attempting to make a sudden turn and he fractured a bone in the process. He was immediately rushed to Queen ‘Mamohato Hospital where he was released later that day with a cast on his knee.
Molapo told the Sunday Express he was shattered as he would no longer be part of the national side for the December COSAFA tournament.
“It is every player’s dream to represent their country and I am not an exception and I have been in the under 20 side since 2013,” Molapo said, adding he had played the last match from the national team camp as they were preparing for the COSAFA tournament to be staged in South Africa.
“I was supposed to report back to camp immediately after the match but that could not happen as I got injured and it left me no choice but to be ruled out of the team.
“I was told this cast would be removed after six weeks and they would put another one if the injury would not have healed by then.
And even it heals it does not mean I will just get back into action and chances are that I will only get to play when the second round starts in January.”
Molapo said this was also a blow for his side that has been struggling for results this season after finishing fourth last time around.
“Our team did really well but things took a different turn this season. There were too many changes to the technical team and playing personnel so that is affecting the creation of good combinations.
The fact that I will be out for so long just adds to the misery. We are playing in the Independence Cup in a fortnight so you can just imagine,” he said.
However the former Swallows defender said he would be patient and come back much stronger.
“Such things happen and I am grateful for all the support I have been getting from people around me. I must focus on getting well and hope to come back stronger,” said Molapo.