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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
FORMER Warriors’ defender Gilbert Banda’s season has ended, with the Bantu Rovers’ medical team saying he needs at least 12 weeks to recover from a suspected Achilles tendon injury.
Banda picked up the injury during Bantu Rovers’ 2-1 win over Bosso 90 at Luveve Stadium on Sunday.
The former national team centre-back, who was in great form against Bosso 90 where he won aerial balls with ease, picked the injury in the 40th minute with Rovers leading 2-0.
Takura Msasa, Rovers’ physiotherapist, said the former Highlanders, FC Platinum and How Mine defender is likely to undergo an operation that will rule him out of action for a minimum of 12 weeks.
“His injury is a bit serious because we suspect he ruptured his left Achilles tendon, and if that’s the case, he has to be seen by an orthopaedic, who will see if the tear is partial or complete.
“The best way will be surgery if indeed he ruptured his Achilles tendon, and after surgery his leg will be in a cask for about four to eight weeks.
“Then after that we will start working on his physiotherapy, meaning he will need a minimum of 12 weeks to recover,” said Msasa.
Banda’s injury is a blow to Rovers’ championship campaign. They top the Southern Region Division One League with 50 points from 23 games and enjoy a three-point lead over second-placed former champions Bulawayo Chiefs.
Banda joined Rovers in the July mid-season transfer window and seemed to have settled well, partnering seasoned defender Lindelani “Vice” Ncube in central defence.
In the absence of Banda, Ncube will be partnered by either Bongani Sikwili or national Under-20 captain Mathias Chodeva when Rovers take on Ntabazinduna at Ntabazinduna Prison this afternoon.
It’s a match Rovers can’t afford to lose as dropping points would allow Chiefs, who are on 47 points, to close in. Chiefs host mid-table side Victoria Falls Tigers.
In other matches, third-placed Amagagasi welcome Talen Vision to Victoria Falls, while championship dark horses ZPC Hwange will benefit from three points on a 3-0 score line, as they were scheduled to play against ZRP Hwange, who were thrown out of the league for failing to fulfil more than three consecutive games.
Fixtures
Today: ZRP Bulawayo Province v Bosso 90 (Fairbridge, 12PM), Amagagasi v Casmyn (Victoria Falls), ZPC Hwange v ZRP Hwange (cancelled), Black Boots v Hwange Juniors (Fairbridge), Makomo v Talen Vision (Hwange, 12PM), Ntabazinduna v Bantu Rovers (Ntabazinduna), Technosphere v Indlovu Iyanyathela (Hwange), Bulawayo Chiefs v Victoria Falls Tigers (Luveve)
**All matches start at 3PM unless stated
@ZililoR.
Online Reporter