Coach Hélder Duarte faces significant challenges ahead of the Associação Black Bulls (ABB)'s upcoming match against Zamalek, due to uncertainties regarding the availability of two key players, Ernan Siluane and Victor.
Ernan, who returned from the national team injured, prompted criticism from the coach towards the Mozambican Football Federation (FMF), who called for better communication between the medical departments of the national team and the clubs. “We have Victor injured and Ernan's situation, which is serious. He came back injured from the national team, and nobody communicated anything to us. This cannot happen. I hope it's nothing serious, but he's not training and will undergo tests. It's important to remember that the clubs are the ones who pay the players' salaries,” highlighted Hélder Duarte.
The coach emphasized that the lack of communication harms both the club and the players, especially during crucial moments of the season.
Physical and Mental Exhaustion
In addition to injuries, Hélder Duarte admitted that his team is facing accumulated fatigue from a long and intense season. “More than physical fatigue, the mental aspect weighs heavily. We are talking about players who have played 42 games this season, while Zamalek has played 7, 8 or 9 and is still improving. We are at the end of a season that started in February, which is almost 11 months of work,” he stated.
Despite this, the coach showed confidence in his players' competitive spirit. "The motivation comes from playing against a great team in a great stadium. It will be an opportunity for them to show their worth and potential."“
Context of the Confrontation
The game against Zamalek is a crucial moment for ABB, who face not only a renowned team in African football, but also the challenge of overcoming accumulated physical and mental adversities. The absence of Victor and Ernan, if confirmed, will represent a significant loss, but Hélder Duarte believes that the collective spirit and the will to shine on an important stage can make the difference.
We await the results of Ernan's tests and must monitor Victor's progress to determine if both will be available for this important challenge.
