JOHANNESBURG — Tinashe Nengomasha has apologised to his Zimbabwean compatriot and Kaizer Chiefs defender Jimmy Jambo for ending his 2012-2013 season prematurely with a crunching tackle at the weekend.
Nengomasha, known for his trademark late tackles, was sent off after he fouled his former teammate at Amakhosi when Bidvest Wits beat Chiefs 3-2 in a Telkom Knockout first-round football match on Friday.
Other soccer stars whose careers were almost ended by similar tackles include Dillon Sheppard, Benson Mhlongo, Innocent Mdledle and Daniel Malesela.
Fortunately, most of them were able to make a comeback to the game.
Chiefs communications manager Vina Maphosa yesterday confirmed that Jambo was seen by an orthopaedic surgeon and will be out of action for the rest of the season.
Maphosa said: “The report we received this morning (yesterday) is that Tinashe went straight to Jimmy after the game on Friday to personally apologise for the tackle. Jimmy is out for the rest of the season. This is a major blow for us because Jimmy is one of our tried and tested members.
“It is hurting because this is the second time that our player has been fouled by a Wits player. It happened with Pa (Siboniso Gaxa) in Mbombela. Pa is still out of action as we speak, though he has started with light training under the supervision of the medical team.”
Nengomasha and Wits officials could not be reached for comment at the time of going to print.
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Gaxa is expected back in action in two weeks’ time, while another Bafana Bafana defender, Tsepo Masilela, could make his debut for Chiefs against Maritzburg United away on Friday.
Maphosa said: “Tsepo is doing well at training. He could get a run anytime, but we won’t throw him into the deep end.” -Sowetan
