Blow to Mara Sugar with forward set for lengthy time on the sidelines

National Super League side Mara Sugar FC promotion hopes have been dealt a blow following a recurring knee injury to striker Mohammed Baraza that has had the netbuster ruled out of action until January.

Baraza picked up the injury while in action in the opening game of the season against Mombasa Stars in a match played at Mbaraki Sports Club.

Mara Sugar emerged victorious, sealing all the points courtesy of Philemon Nyakwaka's goal, but lost the services of their second-best scorer last term with ten goals.

The former Palos attacker was poised to be back in action after a month, but after further scans, he is now set to be out of action for up to four months, and the latest he can be back wiggling on the green grass is January, at the start of the second phase of the league.

The 27-year-old has established himself as one of the core pillars in the Millers squad over the years, but his absence is a concern for the technical bench at the time the club is chasing promotion to top-flight football.

“I picked up an injury during our match with the Mombasa Stars, and I expected to be back soon and assist the team in our chase for promotion, but later on I had some recurring pain in my left knee that had to be observed for some time, and now I am made to understand that I will be out until January at the latest as the physios monitor my situation,” offered Baraza.

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The offensive player, who can also efficiently slot into the point-man position, has admitted it is tough watching from the horizon as his peers battle for glory, but he has enough belief in his teammates finishing the work.

“I want to help my team, and it hurts when I am not in a position, but that’s football. I will have to sit at the peripheral and bank on my teammates to get the job done,” he told Mozzart Sport.

He, however, remains optimistic that he will recover in time to play a role in his team's elevation battle, as last season's happenings are still fresh in his mind, where the Sugar Men missed out on the top tier narrowly following lapses in the final four games.

“I hope I can be ahead of schedule and back on the field; what befell us last season is still fresh with me, and I would like to celebrate promotion this season, and knowing that I have played a part in it is more appealing and enticing,” he stated.

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In his absence, the club has been using the duo of red-hot Philemon Nyakwaka and promising James Olweny that the club will be hoping nothing happens to the pair that boasts the best goal contributions in the league.