CAPE TOWN – Kaizer Chiefs doctor Aadil Bodhania has confirmed that midfielder Joseph Molangoane sustained a broken leg in the MTN8 game against Free State Stars.
The 30-year-old Molangoane went in on a challenge for a loose ball against Stars defender Makhehlene Makhaula, but was beaten.
In his follow-through, Makhaula’s foot landed on Molangoane’s right ankle, and the Amakhosi man felt the pain immediately.
Referee Victor Gomes did not issue any booking to Makhaula, though.
After receiving treatment on the pitch, ‘Tight’ Molangoane was taken off on a stretcher, and Chiefs coach Giovanni Solinas said afterwards that his players were shocked by the incident.
Amakhosi won the match 3-0 at the FNB Stadium, and will face defending champions SuperSport United in the semi-finals.
“Joseph Molangoane will undergo surgery to repair his lower right leg,” Bodhania said on the Chiefs website on Sunday.
“Early prognosis indicates a fracture of the distal tibia and fibula to the lower right leg.”
Fellow midfielder Siphelele Ntshangase, who was chosen as the Man of the Match, hurt his ankle, while goalkeeper Virgil Vries ended the game with strapping on his knee.
The Chiefs medical department said that they will be assessed further.
But on the positive side, Amakhosi came back from losing 3-1 to Wits on Tuesday with a more convincing performance against Stars.
“I am proud of the boys,” Solinas said. “It was a game of in or out. There are no second chances in cup matches.
“We played very positively, creating a lot of chances. Every player pressed, covered well and we had a compact defence as a team.
“Ntshangase is a number 10, but I want to convert him to a midfielder, playing a bit deeper and next to Willard Katsande, so that these two will hold the midfield. Ntshangase had a good game.”
Correction: Tickets are R50 at Computicket outlets #HailTheChief #Amakhosi4Life #AbsaPrem https://t.co/70kPP4vaFa
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) August 12, 2018
The next Chiefs match is on Tuesday against Baroka FC in Polokwane (7.30pm kickoff).
@ashfakmohamed