Selfless Chumba confident of Malkia's title chances despite injury setback

PAOK's newest acquisition Sharon Chepchumba aka Chumba lay on the ground writhing in pain when a landing gone wrong saw her pick an injury just few hours to the CAVB Africa Nations Championship in Yaounde, Cameroon. 

Was this the end of the road for Kenya's best attacker at the moment in the crucial African tourney? 

Malkia Strikers bench had elected to play one last friendly match on Tuesday, against Rwanda, ahead of the 12-team championship, a game that was held at the Mfandena Indoor gymnasium. 

Bitok terms Simiyu's Malkia Strikers debut a success

Despite being in immense pain, the opposite hitter was neither thinking of the extent of injury nor the agony she was in, but of her teammates; such is the selflessness of the star player. 

"I took off from a distance for an attack and was unable to stick the landing on both feet. I was on the move trying to gain balance and in the process I collided with Belinda Barasa and stepped on her, twisting my ankle. 

It happened so fast and all I remember was going down in excruciating pain. At that point I knew my teammates would be worried and as I lay there all I could think of was how they would react if it turned out to be a serious injury, " a visibly emotional Chumba narrated. 

The 24-year-old is well aware that any injury to a key player, for any team, has adverse affects on the squad's performance and morale as was evident in the Rwanda friendly when she was taken off. 

However, she believes that her bravery in recover has kept her replacement and by extension the team going as they anticipate her return. 

"Rwanda pushed us so hard when I got injured, going nine points ahead and I could tell that the team concentration had been affected and I couldn't stop crying as I sat on the bench; but I kept praying for things to turn out well and I am happy they did," she adds further admitting that the wait for the pooling was pure agony as she was afraid Kenya would land tough opposition early on. 

The 2022 Africa Club Championships' Most Valuable Player (MVP) admits that her future with the new club, PAOK was in her mind before she could tell the extend of her injury. 

"Right now we are aware it is a minor injury and I have the best physiotherapist working around the clock to get me back in shape and ready for battle here. I am recovering well but I will wait on the physio to give me the green light.

Even in my absence, I am impressed with Loice Simiyu's performance. She has shown immense courage in the face of adversity and has made a dream debut for the team. I know she has me and the team covered and I couldn't be happier. I know we are safe," she further noted.