Black Lions FC coach Owen Da Gama has provided an update on Kaizer Chiefs’ young defender Xolani Cossa, who is currently in hospital after a concussion scare during his loan club’s 1-0 loss to Mochudi Centre Chiefs on Friday night.
Cossa, who joined Lions on loan in August, started the league tie against Centre Chiefs at the GU Stadium, but had to be substituted after suffering a concussion.
The 21-year-old centre-back was quickly taken to the hospital, where a CT scan was done. Da Gama confirmed the left-footed defender was still in hospital on Saturday morning.
The veteran mentor provided a reassuring update on Cossa’s condition, stating that initial scans have ruled out a serious injury.
WHAT IS THE UPDATE ON XOLANI COSSA?
“He had a concussion, he’s currently in hospital, luckily they have done a CT scan and there’s no serious injury,” Da Gama told FARPost. “They’re just keeping him and doing more observations. We will follow all protocol; he may miss the next game. He’s a young boy, and we must protect him.”
Lions, currently 10th on the log, play Calendar Stars in their next fixture away from home after the FIFA international break on Saturday, 22 November. The former South Africa Under-23 coach, Da Gama, admitted that Cossa’s absence would be a blow. He added that his forced substitution was a significant blow for them.
“It was a big blow after he came off. We went into additional time, and two minutes in, we conceded after he was taken off. We missed his aerial dominance. He’s the main guy in defence, he’s the captain of the defence. The boy is unbelievable.”
Da Gama also spoke highly of the loan deal, viewing Cossa’s time in Botswana as a vital part of his growth, a sentiment he extended to the development structures of South Africa’s top clubs. “We hope to give him game time. It’s a great investment for Kaizer Chiefs,” he added.
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