Covid-19 a blessing in disguise for injured soccer players

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford, centre, is congratulated by teammates Juan Mata, left, and Paul Pogba after scoring a goal against the Perth Glory during their friendly soccer match in Perth, Australia, Saturday, July 13, 2019. (Richard Wainwright/AAP Image via AP)

The coronavirus came to many soccer players as a dark cloud that is still hovering over their heads. The pandemic presented a myriad of challenges including, pay cuts, disruption of the football calendar, and a deep haze of uncertainty for many. 

However, for players who were on the sickbed, nursing injuries, the current hiatus has turned to be a blessing in disguise, a second chance that rarely comes in a lifetime. 

For some players in major leagues in the world such as the English Premier League (EPL), The Spanish La Liga, the France Ligue 1 and the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) among others, their hope of achieving personal and club goals have somewhat been dimmed. 

GameYetu takes a closer look at players whom the Covid-19 pandemic has played in their favour. Players whose hopes to return to play were halted but now stand a chance to return to the pitch as the leagues are expected to return from next month.

Here in Kenya, 18-time champions Gor-Mahia, who are already on top of the league with 54 points are some of the beneficiaries amid this crisis.

Shafik Batambuze

K’Ogalo’s dreadlock master Shafik Batambuze is set to make a comeback in June when the KPL is expected to return. 

Despite 9 matches remaining for the league to end, the defender who underwent a knee surgery has assured his fans that he will be back to entertain them.

“I have recovered and started training on my own. Though I haven’t fully recovered, I’m very sure by June I will be ready for action since my progress is maturing every day, “said Batambuze.

The Ugandan national picked up a career-threatening injury while playing against Aigle Noir in a CAF Champions League. The injury put the player out of action for the entire season.

Harun Shakava

Another Kenyan player set to thank the break is Harun Shakava who plays for the Zambian side Nkana FC. Shakava alludes to the fact that the current break has allowed him to recover from his ankle injury.

The Ex-Gor-Mahia captain missed matches in the Zambian league and expects to make a return to further his football skills away from home. Injuries have a way of making a player drop in the pecking order even after recovery. 

“I have used the time away from football to work on my rehabilitation and to be close to my family. I have been working under the watch of a local doctor, who has given me a clean bill of health to resume training,” explained Shakava.

INTERNATIONALLY: 

Paul Pogba

In the EPL, Manchester United might just be the English side to be most thankful as far as injuries are concerned in the team. Injuries had threatened to bring the team to its knees, forcing the officials to make quick signings to salvage the boat from sinking even further. 

The Red Devils boasted terrific form before the suspension of the league on March 13th, will be a team to give other teams a run for their money after the return of Paul Pobga from injury.

The world-class midfielder is expected to add fuel to the already blazing Man United midfield of Fred, McTominay, and the recent Portuguese signing Bruno Fernandes.

With Pogba now back on the team sheet, the Mancunians’ chances of storming into the top 4 of the EPL log are looking realistic and achievable.

The crafty midfielder is desperate and hungry to play again. Having made just eight appearances this season after struggling with an ankle problem, Pobga is spoiling for a fight for the top 4 in EPL.

Man Utd manager Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has already expressed his hopes that the France International, will give the Red-Devils, just what they are craving; Finish in top four and bag the Europa League title.

“Any player who is injured cannot wait to get back on the pitch, you feel so free. He's been playing with pain, so I'm sure when he's pain-free and he's injury-free, he'll enjoy his football,” said Solksjaer.

It would have been frustrating for the world-class midfielder to miss most of the matches this season, but as he says, he is now ready to play again.

 “I've been frustrated, a long time ago. Now I'm almost there, so I'm just thinking about getting back and training fully with the team and everything. You think badly but I've never had something like this in my career, so I always take it in a good way. It makes me hungrier to come back and do well. And, yeah, it just shows me as well how much I love football.” Said Pogba.

Marcus Rashford

The other player whose impact has been missed is United’s striker Marcus Rashford. The England national was enjoying a terrific run of form before January this year when he suffered a double stress fracture on his back.

Before his injury, the England ace was one of the top scorers in the league and on course to win the golden boot, with 15 goals on his name.

Nevertheless, now that Leicester’s Jamie Vardy is leading the scoreboard with 19 goals, chances of Rashford contending for the golden boot are still alive

Rashford is expected to return in mid-June when the EPL is expected to resume, and when it does, he will be a dangerous man to watch.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Christian Pulisic and N’Golo Kante

Chelsea have some pros to pick from the Covid-19 whirlwind. The Blues have a chance to strengthen their Bridge.

The return of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Christian Pulisic and N’Golo Kante will give Chelsea the much-needed boost they require as they undergo an acid test when they face red-hot Bayern Munich in their Champions League round of 16 return leg. Chelsea seeks to overturn their humiliating 3-0 loss at home when they travel to Munich. The return of the key players will also tighten their grip on the top four of the EPL.  

Reports already indicate that the trio will make a major comeback to strengthen the blue army as soon the league returns in June.

LA Liga

In the Spanish La Liga, some of the giant clubs such as Barcelona and Real Madrid will have something to smile about after the current coronavirus storm is over.

Luis Suarez

Barcelona have missed the services of their formidable striker Luis Suarez. Some have already termed him “Barca’s lockdown signing” as he is expected to bring the fire and gusto when he rejoins his teammates.

With the La Liga traditionally ending in May, Suarez could not have had another chance at showing his finesse in the Nou Camp in front of his religious fans. 

Luis Suarez has now recovered. He is expected to return when the football does. Although Spain has borne brunt of the coronavirus pandemic, coming second after the USA with over 23,000 deaths and over 230,000 infections as of April 28, the return of football and the Uruguayan will cheer dampened hearts. 

Eden Hazard

Los Blancos have missed the services of Eden Hazard thanks to an injury.

The Ex-Chelsea showman will now have a chance to prove his worth after a tumultuous first season in Spain. Just like Suarez, Hazard did not have a chance to return this season, but he now does. Hazard made his 88 million pounds move to Real Madrid Los Blancos last season as he looked for another challenge in a team he dreamt of playing for since his childhood.

Other players include PSGs Thiago Silva, Ander Herrera among others who are expected to return before the current season is completed.