Tendon injuries can be complicated when it comes to footballers and can easily end one’s playing career.
For SC Villa and Uganda Cranes right-back, Joseph Nsubuga, the injury has kept him out for close to a year.
Nsubuga suffered the career threatening injury last July (2018) during a training session with his Jogoo side at Villa Park, the club’s training base.
Despite making consistent attempts to return last season, the roving right-back failed to get onto the pitch.
With two weeks to the end of the 2018/19 SUPL season, Nsubuga was cleared to start training but he too knew it would take a while before he finally played in a proper football game.
“It has been a frustrating last year for me, narrates Nsubuga.
“Watching your teammates play while knowing you cannot help them is the worst possible situation for any footballer but it is all part of the game.
“I was out for long spells and every day that passed, prayed i would get back to the pitch and help my team.
SC Villa was embroiled in the relegation battle last season, spending the majority of the campaign close to the drop zone.
They however survived the drop on Match-Day 29, in the same week Nsubuga had started training.
“I was cleared to train with just two weeks to the end of the season but i knew it was too late to play in the 2018/19 season.
“After we avoided relegation, i felt relief as i desperately wanted my team to stay up because we are the biggest side in the country.
After starting out with light training, Nsubuga is currently taking part in full sessions at Villa park and hopes to get back to 100%.
“God has been on my side and helped me overcome this injury. It has not been easy but i have somehow done it.
“My only focus now is getting myself fit for the upcoming season so that i can help my team.
Before injury, Nsubuga was prominent in the Uganda Cranes set-up, making several appearances for the team.
He was widely considered by many as the long-term solution to Uganda Cranes’ right-back issues.
He joined SC Villa from Matuga based side, Bright Stars in 2016 and has consistently made the right-back position his own.
Asked about Uganda’s chances at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, he had this to say;
“At first i felt our best chance for three points was against Zimbabwe but after watching them against Egypt on Friday night, i am not sure anymore.
“All in all, i trust the coaching stuff and players and i am sure they will do all they can to make it out of the group and reach the knock-out stages.
The Uganda Cranes will be in action of Saturday afternoon in their opening AFCON game against DR Congo.
