Thindwa ignores injury for Golden Boot Award chase

Epac FC hitman Ishmail Thindwa has disclosed that temptation of fighting for the Super League Golden Boot Award saw him ignore a recurring knee injury.

With a few games before the season wraps up, the lanky forward leads the scorers chart with 14 goals, just two ahead of Red Lions’ Kumbukani Mwambene while Moyale Barracks’ Deus Nkutu is third with 11 goals.

Thindwa suffered a tendon injury in the first-round, during a league game against Evirom.

“I have had this injury for sometime, but I had to take a gamble because the temptation of winning the Golden Boot Award for the second time was just overwhelming,” he said.

Asked if he was not worried about aggravating the injury, Thindwa said: “Of course, that concern was there and at times I had to endure the pain or take painkillers.

“I also sought advice from our team doctor [Liso Dube] who came up with a special training programme for me just to ensure that the injury did not get worse.”

However, Thindwa said the revelation does not mean he is in the comfort zone in the chase for the award.

“For now, it is still very tight, guys like Kumbukani and Deus can also win it. Although I am ahead by two to three goals, I still need to work extra hard because it is still wide open,” he said.

Thindwa, who also won the award two seasons ago, said the solace is that the off-season is around the corner, which will allow him to recover fully.

Dube said he let Thindwa to continue playing because his injury was not that serious.

“It was a minor injury. He stretched a tendon that provides muscle attachment to the knee. At that time he recovered, but then it recurs at times.

“However, it is not something serious and that is why he was able to play. I also drew up a special programme for him so that he could have time to rest. For instance, this week, I have asked him to start training on Thursday instead of Tuesday,” said Dube.