Royal AM coach John Maduka says the early forced substitution of Happy Jele unbalanced his team against Kaizer Chiefs, leading to their defeat in the Nedbank Cup quarter-final at Chatsworth Stadium on Sunday.
Jele seemed to overstretch his hamstring when he was trying to clear the danger and was replaced by Samuel Manganyi after just 22 minutes into the game.
Immediately after Jele went down, the signal was raised from players that it was a muscle injury, with the former Orlando Pirates captain taken off the pitch on the stretcher.
It was a big blow because the 35-year-old was looking to be in his tip-top shape in the game and winning his duels, even though it was just his second appearance for the club, having started when they beat Stellenbosch FC 3-1 last weekend.
Even though Manganyi made an instant impact, flicking the ball at the near post to score an opener for the home side a few minutes upon his arrival, Maduka lamented the loss of Jele.
“It could be as well [that Jele sub impacted us], but Manganyi came on and I think he did very well,” said Maduka, whose loss sees his side lose for the first time to Chiefs at Chatsworth Stadium.
“But again remember that time we were still unbalanced, you just lost a key player in a key position. Somewhere, somehow it affects the concentration and the focus.”
Maduka also said he is not sure whether Jele will play again this season for the club as such injury – muscle pull, may take time to heal considering his age and also having been out for some time, which may result in him being ruled out for the rest of the season.
“We are still going to wait for the doctors (‘scan) and we will take it from there,” added Maduka.
“We are just hoping that it’s not something that is serious, so that we can finish with him in these coming games of the league.”
Source Link Maduka Discusses Jele Injury – iDiski Times
