Heartland goalkeeper, Chukwuebuka Nwokoecha, has dismissed reports claiming he underwent surgery and consequently ruled out of action for the remainder of the season following an injury sustained during the NPFL matchday 16 clash against Plateau United, Completesports.com reports.
Speaking to Completesports.com at half-time during Heartland’s NPFL matchday 22 encounter against Rivers United at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, Nwokoecha clarified that while he suffered an injury in Heartland’s 2-3 defeat to Plateau United, it was not serious enough to require surgery.
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“Yes, I sustained an injury during our match away to Plateau United, but I was not operated on by a doctor, as some reports suggested,” the fair-skinned shot-stopper explained.
Chukwuemeka Nwokoecha
“I collided with two Plateau United attackers during the match and briefly lost consciousness. However, I regained consciousness and continued playing.
“But along the line, I was substituted in the game, which we sadly lost 2-3. I feel there was a mix-up somewhere.”
Checks by Completesports.com reveal that goalkeeper Ori Elvis was actually the one who underwent surgery after sustaining an injury during Heartland’s NPFL matchday 17 clash at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.
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“To the best of my knowledge, it was Elvis Ori who was operated on following the injury he sustained in our home match against Bendel Insurance.
“After our away game against Plateau United, our next home match was against Bendel Insurance. It was in that game that Elvis picked up the injury that led to his surgery,” Nwokoecha clarified.
Nwokoecha was not in action on Sunday as the Naze Millionaires secured a 2-0 victory over Rivers United at Dan Anyiam Stadium.
By Sab Osuji