Phungulwa is back!

MASERU – After three years out with injury, Bantu playmaker Lindokuhle Phungulwa is finally back and ready for the new season.

In September 2019, Phungulwa suffered a knee injury in a win over Linare in the Econet Soccer Spectacular. At the time it was thought the midfielder would only be out for three months but the months turned into three years.

Speaking to thepost yesterday, a delighted Phungulwa said he is in good shape and does not feel far away from having the match fitness needed to last a full 90 minutes.

The South Africa-born midfield maestro has played several friendly games in recent weeks including one against Botswana giants Township Rollers last Saturday and another against Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) on Sunday where he played over 70 minutes of football combined.

Phungulwa was scheduled to play 45 minutes yesterday against Matlama but the game was cancelled before the second half could start when supporters made their way into the ground even though it was meant to be a game behind closed doors.

Phungulwa reflected on his time on the side-lines and revealed it was the most difficult period he has endured in football. What was more difficult was watching his teammates on the field knowing he could not play.

“It was messed up; I don’t have words to describe it but it wasn’t nice. I think it was more difficult knowing that I can’t play, it’s easy to watch your teammates when you can play. It was very difficult during the injury,” he said.

“It was frustrating that you think you will be back soon but then it gets prolonged. When you prepare yourself to come back in two or three weeks and then you find you are not ready yet. I think the process was frustrating, but I thank everybody who was there to support me – my teammates, and the team. Without that support I think it would have been worse but it helped a lot,” the playmaker added.

Although Phungulwa is back training now, he said he aims to play four or five games pain-free and only then can he start thinking about his long-term seasonal goals.

“Sometimes I felt like I was going crazy, there was a time when I felt like maybe I am not going to play anymore but like I said I had the support of my family and so many people encouraged me to never give up. I think that’s why I managed to fully recover,” the midfielder said.

Phungulwa had become a dressing room leader and a fan’s favourite amongst the Bantu faithful before his injury.

He was a key figure in Bantu’s league title glories in 2017 and 2018 under James Madidilane. Just four months before the injury, Phungulwa had won the club’s player of the season award after a sterling 2018/19 campaign.

Tlalane Phahla