Masonda relaunches career with Ntchisi Wanderers
Former Big Bullets top striker Godfrey Masonda, whose career was in the balance after being diagnosed with a leaky heart valve in March, has amazingly relaunched his career at home Premier Division side, Ntchisi Wanderers.
Masonda, 25, who was treated at Milpark Hospital, South Africa, last Monday insisted that doctors gave him the nod for light physical activities, hence his joining the Chipiku Central Region Football Association side.
“I have started a new lease of life. Doctors advised me to get info full football action in January that is why I joined Ntchisi Wanderers while trying to work my way back to fitness as the league is not as rigorous as the Super League,” Masonda explained.
Music artists Limbani Kalirani aka Tay Grin and Big Bullets FC contributed over K2.2 million for Masonda’s treatment. He was once a chief striker at Bullets, partnering Frank Gabadinho Mhango in 2012 before joining Ferroviaro de Nacala in Mozambique. He reunited with Bullets last season then relocated to Ntchisi due to the illness.
“I have played three games mostly as a substitute and scored three goals. I am hopeful I can get back to my best. The only challenge is match fitness. It is still low. My plan is to revive my career next season and I will give Bullets first option to get me on board if they wish. If not, I will look at other options,” he said.
Ntchisi Wanderers coach Jawo Malenga last week insisted that he did not have enough time to assess Masonda, claiming he only featured once in an abandoned match against Nambuma United a fortnight ago. He is not on contract with the team.
Bullets general secretary Harold Fote last Monday said they had not been in touch with Masonda, “but our door is open to him, but we did not help him with any strings attached.”
According to Internet information, heart valves lie at the exit of heart chambers and maintain one-way blood flow through the heart. The four heart valves ensure that blood flows freely in a forward direction and that there is no backward leakage.
Arsenal and Nigerian legend Nwanko Kanu suffered a serious heart defect and many feared for his career only to bounce back and have a distinguished career for clubs and country. Bolton Wanderers’ Patrice Muamba recently suffered a cardiac arrest while in English Premiership action and after treatment, was advised to quit football.
