Kwanda Mngonyama’s injury that appears set to derail his Olympic dream has also exacerbated the defender’s confusion over his future‚ given his complicated contractual situation.
Mngonyama – sent back from the Bafana Bafana squad competing at the Cosafa Cup in Windhoek‚ Namibia‚ on Monday with a hamstring injury – has been on the books of Mamelodi Sundowns‚ where his contract ends at the end of this month.
The centreback has been loaned out by Downs for the past three seasons‚ to Bidvest Wits in 2013-14‚ and Maritzburg United for the past two campaigns.
The big 22-year-old’s future hangs in the balance more than ever‚ uncertain where he will play next season‚ and injured on top of that.
And his injury‚ at a time when the SA Under-23 players are jostling for places at the Olympic Games in Brazil in August‚ could have ruined that dream too.
Asked if Mngonyama’s injury setback was a concern for the shadow Olympic squad competing at the Cosafa Cup‚ SA U-23 coach Owen da Gama replied: “Yes‚ because I think it’s beyond his injury. The injury has just worsened things.
“He’s without a club. He’s concerned because he doesn’t know where he is going to start next season.
“And he’s concerned that if that injury gets worse‚ is he going to get a club?
“We know him‚ he’s shown us what he can do. So we thought in the best interests of the player he should sort out his injury where he’s comfortable. But most importantly sort out his other issues.
“Sometimes the player’s interest is much bigger than just a match.”
Mngonyama was brought to Namibia after picking up a hamstring injury in a training match the day before the South Africans left.
The SA technical staff hoped the injury was not serious‚ but an ultrasound performed in Windhoek showed it was a Grade 1 hamstring injury.
The defender is set to also miss the SA U-23s friendly against Japan on June 29.
Mngonyama’s career has appeared to suffer from being repeatedly loaned out by Sundowns‚ and he was not at his best fighting relegation with Maritzburg last season.
“Steve Komphela got the best out of him at Maritzburg in 2014-15‚ playing him as an anchor midfielder. He’s a utility player‚” Da Gama said.
“So yes‚ it is worrying‚ but you’ve got to have cover all over. What if he were to have got injured in the Olympics?
“You’ve got to have cover so that whoever comes in slots in.”
Phumlani Ntshangase was also sent home from the Cosafa with gastric ulcers.
The SA medical staff wanted the Bidvest Wits midfielder to undergo a gastroscopy‚ which hospitals in Windhoek did not have the equipment to perform‚ to determine the seriousness of his illness.
South Africa beat Lesotho 4-2 on penalties in Saturday’s quarterfinal in Windhoek‚ and will meet Swaziland in the semifinal at Sam Nujoma Stadium on Wednesday evening (6pm SA time).
Kwanda Mngonyama caught between a rock and a hard place
Kwanda Mngonyama’s injury that appears set to derail his Olympic dream has also exacerbated the defender’s confusion over his future‚ given his complicated contractual situation.
Mngonyama – sent back from the Bafana Bafana squad competing at the Cosafa Cup in Windhoek‚ Namibia‚ on Monday with a hamstring injury – has been on the books of Mamelodi Sundowns‚ where his contract ends at the end of this month.
The centreback has been loaned out by Downs for the past three seasons‚ to Bidvest Wits in 2013-14‚ and Maritzburg United for the past two campaigns.
The big 22-year-old’s future hangs in the balance more than ever‚ uncertain where he will play next season‚ and injured on top of that.
And his injury‚ at a time when the SA Under-23 players are jostling for places at the Olympic Games in Brazil in August‚ could have ruined that dream too.
Asked if Mngonyama’s injury setback was a concern for the shadow Olympic squad competing at the Cosafa Cup‚ SA U-23 coach Owen da Gama replied: “Yes‚ because I think it’s beyond his injury. The injury has just worsened things.
“He’s without a club. He’s concerned because he doesn’t know where he is going to start next season.
“And he’s concerned that if that injury gets worse‚ is he going to get a club?
“We know him‚ he’s shown us what he can do. So we thought in the best interests of the player he should sort out his injury where he’s comfortable. But most importantly sort out his other issues.
“Sometimes the player’s interest is much bigger than just a match.”
Mngonyama was brought to Namibia after picking up a hamstring injury in a training match the day before the South Africans left.
The SA technical staff hoped the injury was not serious‚ but an ultrasound performed in Windhoek showed it was a Grade 1 hamstring injury.
The defender is set to also miss the SA U-23s friendly against Japan on June 29.
Mngonyama’s career has appeared to suffer from being repeatedly loaned out by Sundowns‚ and he was not at his best fighting relegation with Maritzburg last season.
“Steve Komphela got the best out of him at Maritzburg in 2014-15‚ playing him as an anchor midfielder. He’s a utility player‚” Da Gama said.
“So yes‚ it is worrying‚ but you’ve got to have cover all over. What if he were to have got injured in the Olympics?
“You’ve got to have cover so that whoever comes in slots in.”
Phumlani Ntshangase was also sent home from the Cosafa with gastric ulcers.
The SA medical staff wanted the Bidvest Wits midfielder to undergo a gastroscopy‚ which hospitals in Windhoek did not have the equipment to perform‚ to determine the seriousness of his illness.
South Africa beat Lesotho 4-2 on penalties in Saturday’s quarterfinal in Windhoek‚ and will meet Swaziland in the semifinal at Sam Nujoma Stadium on Wednesday evening (6pm SA time).
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