Nthala bounces back prematurely

Flames goalkeeper risks aggravating his knee injury as he has been forced to bounce back into action before completing his physiotherapy.

Nthala was supposed to undergo physiotherapy for six weeks after it was established that his right knee ligament was partly torn.

But his Mozambique club Liga Desportivo Maculmana found itself in a tight spot ahead of their CAF Confederations Cup tie against former African club champions TP Mazembe last week when their first-choice Brazilian goalminder Caio Venancio was suspended.

The development forced Maculmana management to press the panic button and recall Nthala who was on loan at Ferrviario de Nampula.

“It is true I had just undergone a scan there at home when I got a call from the club president [Rafiq Seedat] informing me that they were in a tight situation and needed me in Maputo as soon as possible.

“I travelled with the team to DRC, but I did not play, I was used as a substitute,” said Nthala.

Asked if he was involved in ball work during training, Nthala said: “I am doing everything as a goalkeeper, but I cannot kick a long ball using my right leg as the knee is still giving me some problems and it would have been a tricky situation if there would have been need for me to be thrown in.

“I did not feature against TP Mazembe though, I was just called to be on the bench because one of my fellow ‘keepers was serving a two yellow cards suspension. Nevertheless, I was able to train with the team and I noticed that there is a steady improvement, the only drawback is that I cannot take long kicks and pass the ball using my right leg.”

Maculmana, who have two other Malawian internationals—captain Joseph Kamwendo and striker Zicco Mkanda—lost the game 4-0.

“I had a brilliant game in a central midfield role and I was named man-of-the-match which was a solace considering the four-goal humiliation,” said Kamwendo.

Mkanda is also injured and could be out for sometime.