There considerable uncertainty about midfielder Robert Ng’ambi being fit for to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations first qualifying round reverse leg in Chad on May 30.
The latest diagnosis has given the South Africa’s Platinum Stars award-winning midfielder a minimum of three weeks before he kicks the ball, which is well beyond the second leg in Nd’jamena.
Several players such as Mapopa Msukwa and Russell Mafulirwa felt Malawi missed Ng’ambi’s passing range in the first leg which the Flames won 2-0 through Frank ‘Gabadinho’ Mhango’s strikes.
Ng’ambi, who twisted his left ankle, refused to give up hope when contacted on Monday. He scored in last year’s 2-0 beating of Chad and emerged highest scoring midfielder in South Africa’s Premiership Soccer League.
“Scans indicate that I overstretched ligaments and it will take between three to six weeks to heal. I will see how I respond to treatment. I am keeping fingers crossed. I could recover earlier. It hurt missing the first leg as I badly wanted to play a part,” said Stars’ Player of the Year.
Flames deputy coach Jack Chamangwana yesterday confirmed that Ng’ambi had not returned to training.
Team doctor Gift Banda said he was waiting for an update from Beit Cure International Hospital which is treating Ng’ambi..
The Nation established on www.physioroom.com “that ligaments link bones to other bones and provide support to joints. They allow a normal range of movement to occur within a joint, but prevent unwanted movement that would render the joint unstable.”
“Another function of ligaments is to provide proprioceptive input to the brain that allows a person to know what position the joints are in without having to look. This helps to perform the complex coordinated activities needed for sport,” adds the website.
