FC Talanta centre-back Shela Mandela can afford a broad smile after securing medical clearance that paves the way for his return to competitive football next season.Mandela has been out of action since April 9 last year, a date that will forever etched in his mind as he suffered a nasty head collision with former Muhoroni Youth striker Collins Neto at the Ruaraka Grounds.After the clash of heads and the subsequent drop to the deck, everything was moving but Mandela who bore the brunt of the impact, prompting the medics to swing into action.##NAJAVA_MECA_7981110##The defender, who suffered a depressed skull, underwent surgery at the Kenyatta National Hospital two days later after the incident.Mandela was optimistic about resuming training in September last year but, was advised against it by the medics who proposed more time on the sidelines to monitor him.However, there is everything to smile about for him after the medics assured him a return to training before the end of the season.Mandela angling for second chance in football after skull surgeryHe will however have to use special protective headgear in training and on match days.Unfortunately, Talanta cannot field Mandela in the closing stages of the current season as he isn’t registered for the campaign.“I am edging closer to my return to full training. The doctors have cleared me to play competitive football again, next season,” disclosed the player.For the time Mandela has been out of action, he has been working at the Kenya Academy of Sports offices at Kasarani.FC Talanta suspend coach Ken KenyattaThe former Nairobi Stima defender said the support rendered by KAS, who owns FC Talanta, from the time he suffered the injury up to his final phase of rehabilitation, was key for him in his decision to continue playing when hanging the boots was an option.“I couldn’t have asked for more from my employers. They have been supportive and offering the comfortable shoulder to lean on,” added the Kiruna FF player.
