JOHANNESBURG - Zimbabwe international and Free State Stars defender, James Matola, has suffered a heavy blow ahead of the new season. Matola reveals that he will be out of action for at least six weeks after undergoing a knee operation.Despite the surgery being successful, he says he is disappointed. I had a successful operation on my knee. I cannot wait to be back at training, the tough-tackling Zimbabwe international says. I will miss football for six weeks, he adds. The operation eventually rules him out of Stars MTN 8 campaign, which begins against Golden Arrows at Charles Mopeli next week.
He will also miss a significant number of league matches owing as teams will play at least two matches per week in the 2009/10 season. Matola was one of the most impressive players as the Free State Stars finished a credible fourth last season.
The former Supersport United centreback was rewarded with the Most Consistent Player of the Season at the clubs end of season awards last month.