Being involved in three out of four pre-season friendlies is one thing, but for Mike Mkwate, Saturday marks an even greater test since his return to the playing field.
When FCB Nyasa Big Bullets take on Silver Strikers in the TNM Super League at Bingu National Stadium, the 26-year-old attacking midfielder will return to the very ground where, 21 months prior, he suffered a devastating tibiofibular fracture to his right leg.
Ironically, the injury occurred against the Central Bankers during the Castel Challenge Cup launch. Now, facing the same opponents at the same venue, Mkwate is set to confront not just his rivals, but the haunting memories of that fateful day.
The injury was a cruel twist of fate for Mkwate, who had only re-signed with Bullets on a two-year deal following his return from South Africa. As he began reclaiming his form, disaster struck late in the match. Paramedics were summoned, and the gravity of the situation was underscored by Silver’s captain, Chikondi Kamanga, who raised the alarm, visibly shaken by the sight of his opponent in agony.
For Mkwate, it was a moment of despair. “I saw the blood and my bone. I told myself, ‘This is it. My career is over.’ It was a horrific injury, and it came just as I was regaining my form following months without football due to challenges at Polokwane,” he recalled in an interview with the club’s media.
Now, as he prepares to return to the scene of his ordeal, Mkwate says he is ready to face his fears, acknowledging that injuries are an inevitable part of a footballer’s journey.
“It’s not going to be easy, but that’s the reality of being a footballer. Injuries come with the territory. Walking back onto that pitch at Bingu will be a testament to perseverance. I have no grudges or hard feelings—it’s time to focus and give my all for the team,” he said.
Reflecting on his recovery process, Mkwate shared how the injury and the subsequent rehabilitation tested his resolve. Yet he was determined to keep pushing forward because “football is my livelihood.”
“The 14 months of recovery were excruciating. The surgery, the rehab—it drained me. But I was determined to endure it all because this game is my passion, and it’s what allows me to provide for myself. I’m just grateful that, in the end, it all paid off,” he explained.
During his time away, Mkwate revealed watching his teammates win trophies without him was bittersweet. It pained him not to contribute to the victories, but he expressed gratitude for the team’s success, particularly in 2023 when they clinched every available title.
“Watching the team lift trophies in my absence was hard because I love to win. But I’m forever thankful to my teammates—they stepped up when I couldn’t. I remember celebrating the Castel Challenge Cup win more than anyone else because it was the competition where I got injured. That victory felt personal, like the team was honoring me, and I will never forget it,” he continued.
Having featured in three pre-season matches, Mkwate described his return to the pitch after almost two years as an overwhelming and emotional experience.
“It’s hard to put into words—it was simply incredible. To some people, I was done. To others, I was still the same ‘Magic Mike.’ Wearing the Bullets jersey again was one of the happiest days of my life. After waiting so long, it felt like a dream come true. Injuries can destroy a player’s confidence, but I stayed strong, accepted my reality, and worked through it. Acceptance was the first step toward my healing, and now here I am,” he shared.
Mkwate could not go without expressing his profound gratitude for the club’s support since he suffered the career-threatening injury, acknowledging the substantial resources Bullets dedicated to his rehabilitation.
“I don’t have enough words to thank the club for the unwavering support. From the day I got injured to the day I started rehab, they took care of everything. The management made sure I didn’t have to worry about expenses—it was a huge relief. I’m also incredibly grateful to the fans for their love and support during my darkest days. Their encouragement meant the world to me,” said the midfielder.
Bullets head coach Peter Mponda praised Mkwate’s timely return, emphasizing the role he will play this season.
“Mike is fully fit now—he’s competing, tackling, and doing everything he did before the injury. We’re thrilled by his progress and what he’s displaying in training. He’s an experienced player, and we know he will deliver for us in this new season,” Mponda commented.
For Mkwate, Saturday’s match at Bingu National Stadium represents the final step of his recovery—a psychological hurdle he must overcome.
Mponda admitted it’s impossible to predict how the player will react to being back at the site of his injury, but it’s a confrontation that cannot be avoided.
“It’s like surviving a car accident—you wonder if you’ll ever drive again, but eventually, you must get back behind the wheel. The sooner, the better,” he said.
Whether or not Mkwate plays on Saturday, returning to Bingu marks a fresh chapter for a player who came perilously close to losing everything to a horrific injury. Best wishes to him on this remarkable comeback journey.
