Kaizer Chiefs have suffered a massive blow after their midfielder Edson Castillo was ruled out of action until 2025.
The South American was a victim of a reckless foul from SuperSport United's defender Bilal baloyi which, surprisingly, went unpunished despite the former reaching the ball first in the danger zone.
Castillo was subbed after the first-half incident at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, with Yusuf Maart taking his position. The Soweto Giants eventually lost the game by a solitary goal scored by Tashreeq Morris.
The Glamour Boys have now revealed their man will be out for several months after suffering a fractured fibula.
Chiefs confirm Castillo's injury
“It is with great dismay that we announce that Edson Castillo will be sidelined for a period of four to five months due to a fractured fibula sustained during the match against SuperSport United on Saturday evening in Polokwane. The serious injury occurred in the first half, as a result of a vicious tackle on him inside the opponents’ 18-yard box,” the club's media team confirmed.
“In the aftermath of the tackle, our head coach, Nasreddine Nabi expressed his concern for player safety and was subsequently issued with a yellow card for his impassioned plea to the officials to prioritise the protection of the players.
“The Club stands firmly behind Edson during this challenging time. We are committed to providing him with the necessary support and resources as he undergoes surgery and embarks on his rehabilitation journey. Our thoughts are with Edson as he focuses on his recovery, and we look forward to seeing him back on the field stronger than ever.”
It is a massive loss for coach Nabi who wanted to have all his experienced players available for tough assignments across all competitions.
Castillo to miss Soweto Derby?
The first Soweto Derby will be played on February 1 at the FNB Stadium while the second meeting is scheduled for Saturday, May 3 at the same venue which subsequently means Castillo will definately miss the first leg but could possibly be available for the return leg.
