Kickoff (Cape Town)
19 November 2008
Wearing the captain's armband appears to be a dangerous job these days.
Bay United's skipper Duran Francis is on the mend after sustaining a worrying groin injury in an Absa Premiership clash against Thanda Royal Zulu a week ago.
However, he is likely to be rested again for this weekend's game against Ajax Cape Town in East London on Sunday as a precautionary measure.
Santos' skipper Musa Otieno is also in a race against time to recover from injury in time for the match against Maritzburg United at the Athlone Stadium last Friday night.
The Kenyan defender, arguably Santos' most important player, also hurt his back in last Sunday's match against Bloemfontein Celtic and had to leave the field halfway through the first half.
At this stage it looks as if Otieno may be available for selection for the Maritzburg game, although his recovery cannot be taken for granted.
"I am responding well to treatment and hopefully I will be fully recovered by the end of the week," Duran told the Herald newspaper.
"I have a check-up on Friday and will only know then what the chances of me playing are. At the moment there's a 50-50 chance of that happening, but it doesn't look too good to take the field quite yet."
Santos' team manager Yusuf Gester says on the club's website: "The medical team is still assessing Otieno and treating him for the back injury he sustained. At the moment it does not look too serious, but we will be very cautious and will only make a decision regarding his fitness for the upcoming match later this week."
Good news for Orlando Pirates' fans is that keeper Moeneeb Josephs is on the road to recovery after undergoing a successful operation on his nose.
Josephs suffered a fractured nasal bone injury in Bucs' 1-0 victory over Platinum Stars last week, in a clash with Dingane Masanabo.
"Josephs had a successful operation to repair his nasal fracture," Bucs' physiotherapist John 'Big-J' Williams says on the club's website.
"The operation was a success. He is currently recovering at home and will only resume training in about two weeks' time. However, it will take a further three to four weeks before he plays competitive football.
"Benson Mhlongo also suffered a mild calf strain following Saturday's game against Kaizer Chiefs. Fortunately it wasn't serious and he is training with the team after receiving treatment."
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