Stars coach clears air on Tsotso's injury

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Thursday March 21, 2013 00:00

 

The Rustenburg outfit had released the former Santos and Township Rollers attacker for Sunday's crunch World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa before recalling him for a medical exam on Monday. Ngele went back to his base on Monday, but was expected to return in time for the Zebras' departure for East Africa. However, it was later announced that the player would not return.

National team coach Stanley Tshosane said the player was not answering his phone. The Zebras' technical team had wanted to get clarity on why the club had initially released the player, surmising he was snubbing camp over welfare issues.Tshosane questioned why the player had not bothered to report to the Zebras' medical team for assessment.His Platinum Stars' counterpart explained to Mmegi Sport in a telephone interview: 'Tsotso is responding to treatment very well, the injury did not seem so bad before he left for Botswana. When he was in Gaborone he phoned and said he had a lot of pain and we asked him to return.'

Ngele is said to have picked up the injury during a recent game against Amazulu and Johnson said he struggled to walk the following day.Johnson said the player had shown keenness to represent his country.'It's unfortunate he could not travel with the Botswana team for the World Cup game, we know how important it is for him to play against Ethiopia.'Ngele has not trained this week.'He's been with the physiotherapist but I am waiting to get feedback later in the week.' Johnson praised Ngele for his outstanding performances this season and said the player had become an asset to the club. He, however, fears that Stars may not be able to hold on to the 22-year-old considering his outstanding talent.

The Platinum Stars coach also spoke highly of Zebras' goalkeeper Kabelo Dambe, who has been on the periphery at the club, saying he had shown a lot of promise.Despite not being active for club, Dambe was in sterling form when the Zebras beat Malawi 1-0 in an international friendly match yesterday.Meanwhile, Tshosane said the Flames tie had given him a better picture of the readiness of his side ahead of Sunday's game.Gaborone United (GU) duo of Noah Maposa and mid-fielder Alphonse Madisaotsile are struggling with injuries. Tshosane said Madisaotsile's was quite serious, while Maposa looked likely to recover in time for the weekend fixture.

Namibia-based left back Pako Lekgari also suffered a head injury during the Malawi game but remains part of the travelling party today.The Zebras leave for Addis Ababa today and know very well that the Sunday game is a must-win.They lie in fourth position of Group A with a single point off the 1-1 home draw against South Africa while Ethiopia top the group with four points.