Nyasa Big Bullets have suffered injury setbacks with Chimango Kayira and Righteous Banda expected to be unavailable as the 2020/21 season kicks off this month.
The duo both suffered knee injuries during the team’s pre-season preparations in Mangochi.
Scans conducted this week revealed that Kayira, the team’s vice-captain, suffered a Meniscus tear and a Grade 1 Lateral Collateral Ligament sprain, while Banda suffered a partial Anterior Cruciate Ligament tear as well as a Meniscus and Medial Collateral Ligament damage.
“Following the MRI [Magnetic Resonance Imaging] scans at Polyclinic in Lilongwe this week I can confirm that Chimango and Righteous will not be available at the start of the new season,” team doctor Felix Mwalule said.
Kayira (left) only trained for a few days as the team went out camping in Mangochi. Photo by Kimpho Loka
According to Mwalule, “the scan on Chimango’s right leg further revealed an old Chronic Arthritis and is set to undergo further tests at Bet Cure International in Blantyre next week. We expect him to be out of action for three months.”
27-year-old Kayira was also forced to withdraw from the Malawi national team camp in Blantyre where the Flames are preparing for the back to back 2022 Afcon qualifying matches against Burkina Faso next week.
On Banda, Mwalule disclosed that the 24-year-old left-footed midfielder sustained an injury on the same knee that kept him out for almost the entire season in 2019.
“He is also set to be assessed at Bet Cure International for a surgery, which we expect will be done soon. After the surgery, he is expected to be out of action for six months,” said the Bullets team doctor.
