Posted in News on Apr 22, 2002.
Mabedi was stretched off the field while Rabutla escaped with a yellow card. The Malawian international was sent to hospital from the stadium and later underwent operation on Monday.
Doctors said the defender would be out of action for three months plus additional two months for rehabilitation.
Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral said he was disappointed that Cosmos or Rabutla did not even send an apology let alone a letter to enquire about Mabedi’s condition. “The boy went for an operation yesterday but we did not even receive a fax from Cosmos,” said Ertugral.
“Rabutla got a yellow card and my key player gets five months out of the game. Now you tell me where is fairness in all that?” questioned Ertugral. “We definitely have to take legal action.”
Mabedi out for three months
Kaizer Chiefs and Malawian international defender Patrick Mabedi will be out of action for almost three months after breaking his leg in the Castle Premier League match against Jomo Cosmos on Sunday.
A double-footed challenge by hard-tackling Cosmos defender Andrew Rabutla, who only escaped with a yellow card, badly caught Mabedi on the right leg and the Malawian could no longer take part in the game. He was replaced by Zimbabwean Tenashe Nengomasha.
Mabedi was heavily strapped on the right foot in what was believed to be precautionary measures but it later appeared the injury was more serious than initially thought.
"That was a bad tackle and the injury is very serious,” says team physiotherapist David Milner. “He is going for an operation today and he could be out of action for about two to three months.”
Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral was fuming after the match following Mabedi’s injury as he lashed out at the referees for “not protecting the players”.
Mabedi, who is also the Malawian national captain, will also miss his country’s Cosafa Cup quarterfinal in May. Malawi will play against defending champions Angola on May 18.
Mabedi is the second key Amakhosi defender to be sidelined by injury this season. Nhlanhla Kubeka is still recovering from a groin injury that shattered his World Cup hopes a couple of months ago. Doctors say Kubeka is currently undergoing rehabilitation and is expected to return next season.
Chiefs are left with three more games to complete their Premier League programme. They face Hellenic in Rustenburg on Saturday then Free State Stars on April 30 before rounding off with bitter rivals Orlando Pirates on May 4.
After missing out on the championship, Amakhosi are now aiming for a place in the BP Top Eight where they are defending champions.
