Mbabane: Speedy winger, Justice Figuaredo was forced to pull out of Eswatini squad that will be battling it out for six points in back to back Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Congo because of an injury.
Speaking to his team, TS Galaxy media reporter Thembi, Figuaredo expressed his disappointment on missing the national duty, saying he couldn’t go to the national team because he was still nursing an ankle injury.
“I’m still recovering from that injury. Yes, I did receive a call up but I explained my situation to the national team coach and he understood.”
He also stated that he does not want it to aggravate it. He added that as a result, they took a decision that he is going to pull out of the camp and they all came in to an amicable agreement that the national team coach will call him in the next camp when the player has fully recovered.
Sending his message to his national teammates, Figuaredo said every game that one plays, is like a cup final when you wear the national team colours. Wearing those colours comes with huge expectations.
“I wish them all the best even though, I’m not with them but my spirit is with them.”
When asked if he fancy his teammates in these two matches against Congo, the player said Covid-19 has halted a lot of things in Eswatini. The league has not even started in the country.
“I think, they had about a month of preparation. For me, that is not enough to play against those guys. They have been active for quite sometime and it is very, very hot in Congo. I don’t know but I hope for the best while preparing for the worse.”
When asked how he was dealing with this period of nursing an injury, Figuaredo said he was disappointed that he have not been able to feature for TS Galaxy because of an injury. On other hand, he feels that maybe it is for a reason because he had to get time to understand the style of play that TS Galaxy is using as a new player.
Figuaredo is yet to feature for TS Galaxy in the current season because of an ankle injury that has been bothering him since the start of the DSTV Premiership.
Figuaredo joined TS Galaxy from Mbombela United at the start of the season.
Eswatini will entertain Congo away from home tomorrow and then face the same opponent in their own territory on Monday.
After two games, Eswatini are yet to register a point having suffered two defeats at the expense of the log leaders, Senegal and second placed, Guinea-Bissau.
TS Galaxy (TSG) sat down with Justice Figuaredo (JF) to talk about his injury that has hampered his progress.
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