Essa to miss Challenge Cup, PPFL
KESC suffer blow as team begins campaign without club captain today .
Essa said he will be available to serve the club as an assistant coach and strategist. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
KESC suffered a major blow when club captain Essa Khan confirmed he will miss the National Football Challenge Cup 2013 and was unlikely to feature in this season’s Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) as well due to a knee injury.
“A footballer’s greatest asset is his knee,” said Essa. “Many footballers retired because they couldn’t recover from a knee injury. But I’m hopeful that won’t be the case with me. It is a disappointment that I will not be able to play in the Challenge Cup. I might miss PPFL matches as well.”
However, Essa said he will be available to serve the club as an assistant coach and strategist.
KESC finished runners-up in the tournament in the previous two editions with KRL lifting the trophies on both occasions.
They will play their opening Group B match against Police at the Dring Football Stadium today.
Meanwhile, Army’s Jaffar Khan will miss out due to a knee injury. Army play Bhatti United FC in their Group C match today.
The tournament features 16 teams — the top eight PPFL clubs with the remaining coming from the Division B league.
The Challenge Cup is an annual tournament, dubbed as the curtain-raiser for the PPFL.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 15th, 2013.
KESC suffered a major blow when club captain Essa Khan confirmed he will miss the National Football Challenge Cup 2013 and was unlikely to feature in this season’s Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) as well due to a knee injury.
“A footballer’s greatest asset is his knee,” said Essa. “Many footballers retired because they couldn’t recover from a knee injury. But I’m hopeful that won’t be the case with me. It is a disappointment that I will not be able to play in the Challenge Cup. I might miss PPFL matches as well.”
However, Essa said he will be available to serve the club as an assistant coach and strategist.
KESC finished runners-up in the tournament in the previous two editions with KRL lifting the trophies on both occasions.
They will play their opening Group B match against Police at the Dring Football Stadium today.
Meanwhile, Army’s Jaffar Khan will miss out due to a knee injury. Army play Bhatti United FC in their Group C match today.
The tournament features 16 teams — the top eight PPFL clubs with the remaining coming from the Division B league.
The Challenge Cup is an annual tournament, dubbed as the curtain-raiser for the PPFL.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 15th, 2013.