Former Mighty Warriors and New Orleans striker Ntombiyelanga Ndlovu is still to receive treatment for her disfigured foot after she sustained a career-threatening injury during a training session with her club in October last year.
Ndlovu was put in plaster twice after the injury, but that did more harm than good as her foot is disfigured and she cannot play football until she goes through surgery.
New Orleans director Khanyiso Bhebhe confirmed yesterday that Ndlovu was still to receive treatment.
“After her injury we were referred to a specialist who told us that the surgery would cost us about $2 000. We have appealed to a number of people to assist us, but there has been nothing forthcoming. We also sent a fax to the Women’s Football Association some time, but they have not responded,” he said.
It would be difficult to get any assistance from the national association since she was injured at club level.
Ndlovu broke her foot during the club’s training session. She had been called up for national duty then with the Mighty Warriors scheduled to play in Egypt, but was sidelined as a result of the injury.
She scored 22 goals last year for New Orleans and was crowned the Top Goal scorer in the league.
“She broke the same leg before, but then it healed well. At the moment she is in charge of the club’s junior team since she cannot play,” said Bhebhe.
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In an interview from her home in Gwabalanda, Ndlovu said she was struggling because her only source of income was football.
“I am struggling because everybody knows that when we play soccer we play for money. Since I injured my leg, I have not been doing much. I was injured a couple of days before I was to go for national duty. The team was going to play in Egypt,” she said.
The former striker said the specialist they were referred to told her she would play the sport again if she was operated on.
Ndlovu (26) said she still wanted to continue playing football.
“Everybody knows about my plight, but at the moment nothing has been forthcoming. There have been promises from a number of people, but they have not come forward with the help. I am even contemplating leaving the country, maybe I can get assistance outside,” she said.
Zimbabwe Women’s Football acting secretary general Ben Mamoche said they were aware of Ndlovu’s plight, but had not received any written communication from the club.
“We would be aware if she was injured while on national duty. At the moment I’m not aware of what happened. All I know is that she was injured on the same foot as before. We cannot do anything if there is no formal communication from the club.
The club has to write to us if they need assistance,” he said.
