Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has issued feedback on the recovery of Lehlohonolo Mojela after the club posted pictures of the forward kicking the ball in training.
Mojela joined Stellenbosch from TS Galaxy at the beginning of the season. After an impressive start to his career at the club, Mojela suffered a knee injury earlier this season.
The 28-year-old has not played for the club since the MTN8 final defeat to Orlando Pirates where he also scored a goal. He subsequently suffered a recurrence of a pre-existing knee injury that required surgical intervention.
STELLENBOSCH FC COACH EXPLAINS HOW FAR IS LEHLOHONOLO MOJELA WITH HIS RECOVERY
“He promised me that if we make the final of the Confederation Cup he would be available,” said Barker jokingly.
“It’s just part of his rehab, so he is running now. At least he is able to sort of kick the ball. It’s just one of those injuries that you can’t rush, so for all intents and purposes, he was always going to be available around early May.
“But we will just have to see. It wouldn’t make too much sense to force it just for one or two games and he is not 100 per cent. Hopefully, he will play one or two games before the end of the season.”
ANOTHER SETBACK FOR STEVE BARKER AHEAD OF THE BIG MATCH AGAINST SIMBA SC
Meanwhile, Stellenbosch also suffered a big blow after another striker, Ashley Cupido, was forced out of their 1-0 win over AmaZulu FC on Tuesday night with an injury. Cupido only lasted 10 minutes in the league game before he was replaced by Langelihle Phili.
“It looks like it’s a bad hamstring. So, it is unlikely he will be available [for the Simba match]. So we will assess tomorrow [Wednesday]. Unfortunate for him and for us, with Bradley Mojela still out, Ashley obviously is not ideal. But we have to find solutions.”
Stellenbosch will take on Simba SC in the first-leg of the Confederation Cup semi-final on Sunday, 20 April, away from home.
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