Unwell Highlanders top striker to miss ECCO clash
Bonte Seepi | Tuesday April 21, 2015 10:39
Apparently, Josiah, who is the team’s most prolific striker with six goals, fell sick immediately after their beMOBILE league game, which the two teams drew 1-1. He was rushed to the Selebi-Phikwe Primary Hospital where he was hospitalised for five days until his release on Wednesday, to the huge relief of players, teammates and supporters. His coach, Tebogo Mokute confirmed that their marksman would not be available for their weekend game against Ecco City Greens. Mokute, however, said they would replace him with another capable marksman.
Obviously, Mokute and his technical team would be banking on Salas Kemiso and Emmanuel Thakadu who has contributed five goals to the Mahalapye team’s goals tally. “I can confirm that Josiah would not be available for our weekend game because he is still focusing on his health.”
A relieved Mokute said the goal poacher was complaining of an asthmatic attack and dizziness after their game against Majombolo in Selebi-Phikwe. Josiah also confirmed the mysterious illness to Mmegi Sport yesterday saying he was fine except for a niggling pain in the back.
“I am feeling fine now though I still have some pain in the back. I am not an asthmatic person, but I got an attack because of the back pain that I had.
“I was feeling well when I got into the game. I just felt the pain after the game. I can confirm that I did all the medical tests including x-rays, but nothing was found,” he said. Josiah gave his all in the game against Nico, showing no sign of illness until he was substituted in the 78th minute. However, despite his early release from the hospital, Josiah is not certain if he would be able to play their last four games in the beMOBILE Premier league this season. “For now, I cannot say I am fit to play. The doctors recommended that I rest and focus on my health for the time being. “So I would not be available for our weekend encounter with Ecco City Greens and I am not too sure about the other three games. “I wished to play all our remaining games, but unfortunately my health would not allow me.
“I am going for a medical check up on April 28, and it is the one which will determine whether I will play the remaining games or not,” explained the marksman.
Meanwhile, Mokute said that the team was happy that the boy had been released from the hospital even though he was not yet match fit. “We are just happy that the boy had been released because that gives us hope that he will be fine.
“And before he was released last week, we were already planning to transfer him from Selebi-Phikwe to Mahalapye Hospital where we could check him regularly.
“Selebi-Phikwe was too far for us. Most of us checked him through the telephone, which we felt was not good enough because the boy needed our support,” said Mokute. Mokute, however, added that they would be waiting for the doctors to recommend the boy’s fitness and that is when Josiah will play.
He said that Josiah is not yet training and is currently in Francistown under the care of his family.