Mukura Victory Sports will be without Alex Nkomezi for three weeks following the holding midfielder’s finger injury during the CAF Confederation Cup’s preliminary round clash against Free State Stars of South Africa on Wednesday. Peace Cup holders Mukura saw off the South African side 1-0 on aggregate score to advance to the first round of the continental competition where they will face Sudan’s Al Hilal. Nkomezi, 27, sustained the injury after clashing with a Free State Stars player in the second half. However, it did not look serious at the moment – and went on to play the match full-time – until the next day when he went to La Croix du Sud Hospital for a scan, which showed that the finger bone was fractured. The development spells bad news for coach Francis Haringingo ahead of Saturday’s league clash against AS Muhanga at Huye Stadium. The player will also miss the two-legged tie against Al Hilal between December 14 and 23. “It’s frustrating to miss a number of important games when your team needs you the most,” Nkomezi told Saturday Sport on Friday. “I have got to keep calm and focus on my recovery. I trust I will come back stronger and help my team.” Mukura will have to find a way of coping with the absence of a player with an integral role in keeping the club’s midfield together. If all goes according to plan, the former AS Kigali midfielder will be back late December. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
