HIGHLANDERS doctors have ruled out striker Obadiah Tarumbwa for the next six weeks after he sustained a thigh injury on Sunday in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match against Tsholotsho FC at Barbourfields Stadium. Highlanders won the match 1-0.
BY FORTUNE MBELE
The veteran forward will miss the Easter league matches against Hwangeat BF on Friday and the away match against Buffaloes.
Bosso mentor Bongani Mafu yesterday confirmed the club’s medical team has asked Tarumbwa to rest for four to six weeks.
“Oba (Tarumbwa) is out for the next four to six weeks after the Sunday injury after the contusion to the thigh. The doctors have said he tore ligaments and he will be out for six weeks. It’s a fresh injury on the striker,” Mafu said.
It is also likely that the former Belgium, Cyprus, Kenya and South Africa-based Tarumbwa will also miss the home against Chapungu in match day five of the fixtures and the away tie against Dongo Sawmills FC. He could also miss Caps United at home and Flame Lily away in Harare.
Tarumbwa clashed with Tsholotsho FC central defender Thandolwenkosi Ncube on the half hour mark and was treated for close to seven minutes, limped back but was replaced by Welcome Ndiweni in the 40th minute.
Mafu said central defender Teenage Hadebe, who scored the solitary goal of the day on Sunday, is also a doubtful starter for the match against Hwange on Friday after he was pulled out in the 70th minute with a knee injury.
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“He (Hadebe) did not train (today) and he is a doubtful starter for Friday. However, striker Thomas Chideu trained with the rest of the team. He is not seriously injured. It is just some pain. Nqobizitha Masuku has gone to join the Young Warriors’ camp but hopefully he will join us for the Friday match,” Mafu said. Due to injuries rocking his camp, the Highlanders gaffer said he might be forced to convert some of his midfielders, especially Ndiweni and the utility Erick Mudzingwa upfront.
The Bosso squad has 10 midfielders in Mthulisi Maphosa, Rahman Kutsanzira, Simon Munawa, Bruce Kangwa, Ndiweni, Tendai Ngulube, Knox Mutizwa, King Nadolo, Valentine Ndaba, Masuku and Edmore Muzanenhamo.
The Bulawayo giants have strikers Gabriel Nyoni, Ozias Zibande, Chideu, Tarumbwa, Simba Sithole with Thembalethu Mthunzi and Ishmael Munsaka registered in the juniors’ quota. Nadolo impressive at the end of last season has been out injured since last year.
Sithole and Zibande were not even on the bench against Tsholotsho while young midfielder Godfrey Makaruse sat on the bench.
