Nigerian-born Vittoriosa Stars of Malta midfielder Joseph Jo-Jo Ogunnupe failed to make a return to full fitness and has therefore been axed from his team’s crucial game at fellow promotion-chasing Lija on Friday night.
The exciting midfielder was giving a late fitness test by club doctors on Thursday but could not convince the medics that his hamstring knock picked up three weeks ago was fully healed and he’s subsequently being placed under further observations while his recovery is being monitored.
This came as a blow to the 24-year old who was eager to resume action and help his club as the season approaches the business end.
He said: “It’s disappointing but I guess the doctors know better. I don’t feel any pains in the leg and I’ve done a lot of work in the gym so I was looking forward to playing against Lija. I want to play and help my team as we cannot afford to lose momentum at this critical period of the season.”
Ogunnupe picked up the knock in a 2-0 win over Senglea Athletic and had been initially ruled out for two to three weeks. Now he has to wait until March 5 for the home game against Marsa FC to see if the doctors would give him a go-ahead to play.
A win for Vittoriosa on Friday will take them top of the league ahead of leaders Naxxar Lions who are not due to play until Saturday when they go away to Zebbug Tigers who are placed 9th on the table.
Only one point separate the top two teams with Qormi FC a further point behind the leaders. The two top teams in the First Division get automatic qualification to the Premier League while the third-placed team engages in a play-off with the 11th-placed team from the Premier League.
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