Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS United midfielder Brighton Manhire is set to undergo surgery this week for a head injury he suffered in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match against FC Platinum at Mandava last Saturday, amid genuine fears that he could be out for the rest of the 2025 season.
Makepekepe emerged from Mandava with a rare league victory at the Zvishavane venue thanks to veteran striker Ishmael Wadi’s solitary goal.
The CAPS United party mood was, however, blighted by Manhire’s injury.
And the club yesterday said the towering midfielder faces 50-50 chances of returning to competitive football this season as he would need between six to eight weeks to fully recover.
Head injuries are delicate in nature, especially in contact sports like football and rugby.
CAPS United chief executive officer Morton Dodzo yesterday said the midfielder was receiving treatment at a local medical facility.
“He is currently in a stable condition. Definitely before the end of this week, he should be able to go for surgery.
“I am not sure where yet, but we are still weighing options whether the surgery will take place locally or he will have to fly to South Africa.
“We want him to get the best treatment. On behalf of the club, we just wish him a speedy recovery,” said Dodzo.
Manhire was injured just a few minutes after the kick-off of last Saturday’s high-profile encounter, forcing his team into an early change.
Due to the severity of the injury, Manhire was immediately rushed from Zvishavane to Harare.
The 31-year-old has since the weekend been admitted into a local medical facility.
“Brighton Manhire suffered a serious head injury resulting in a comminuted fracture of the left frontal sinus. His brain remains structurally normal and he is in a very stable state,” said CAPS United in a statement.
According to online information, “a comminuted fracture of the left frontal sinus is a severe break where the bone fragments into multiple pieces due to a high-force injury”.
“Treatment focuses on restoring facial contour and preventing short- and long-term complications by stabilising the bone fragments, sometimes using techniques like titanium mesh or bone grafting, followed by a lengthy healing process.”
The Green Machine gave credit to team doctors Tanaka Makwanya and Mordekai Sachikonye and physiotherapist Tendai Moyana for their swift and decisive response to the emergency situation.
Makwanya said the injury was not as severe as they had first feared.
“The skull is made up of two layers and the fortunate part is that it’s the outside layer that was affected. So, the injury did not affect his brain,” said Makwanya.
“He will certainly undergo surgery this week and then he will need not less than six weeks to recover. Afterwards he will start light training.
“If all goes well, he could be available for selection in the last games of the season. But we will need to monitor the situation closely.
“We have to be cautious so that he gets back to full fitness. We will not rush him back to playing football,” added Makwanya.
With CAPS United continuing with their march towards safety away from relegation, they will host ZPC Kariba at Rufaro on Sunday.
Coach Ian Bakala, who has lately bemoaned their ill-luck with injuries, will once again have to make do with a reshuffle of his pack as CAPS United seek to post back-to-back league wins that have been elusive for them for large parts of this season.
CAPS United’s triumph over FC Platinum took their points tally to 31 and elevated them into 10th place on the 18-team log tables.
Interestingly, three points separate CAPS United and their visitors, ZPC Kariba who are in eighth place with 34 points.
Their crucial win against the Zvishavane miners has left the entire Green Machine family believing again that they could, in fact, gatecrash into the top four when the curtain comes down on the season.
Online Reporter