After nearly six weeks on the sidelines, Tusker FC’s rising forward David Polepole is slowly returning to the pitch.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsPolepole, commonly known as Mwana Nzambe (son of God) for his Congolese roots, made a triumphant return on Sunday, 8 June, completing his first 90 minutes in the Youth team’s 2-1 win over Thika Sporting.He was returning to action after suffering a groin injury during a training session on Friday, 29 March. The team was then preparing for a match against Bidco United.Millions Kakamega Homeboyz have placed on Moses Shumah’s price tagInitially, Polepole thought it would be a normal injury and that he would play the match after an overnight rest, but things turned for the worse.“We were preparing to face Bidco that weekend. On Friday, I got injured when I was shooting the ball. I kind of overstretched my leg, and that is when I felt the pain and got off the pitch,” the eloquent youngster told Mozzart Sport.For Polepole, the injury came at the worst possible time, not just for himself, but for the team as well, as they were in the thick of the title race.##NAJAVA_MECA_8977567##“It was a shock to me and everyone because no one was expecting it to happen at that crucial time when we needed each other,” he continued.At the time, the youngster was hitting peak form.Having made his senior debut in February against Shabana FC, he went on to make notable appearances off the bench against Bandari and in the Mozzart Bet Cup against Nairobi United, where he scored in the 15th minute.Kenyan midfielder extends contract with Leicester CityHis breakthrough moment came with his first-ever Premier League goal in a 2-1 win over Posta Rangers, a performance that positioned him as a potential key player in the absence of lead striker Ryan Ogam, who was also out with an injury.But just as his star began to rise, the injury pulled him out of the spotlight.“The recovery was the toughest part. Physically, it was frustrating how slow it was going. Athletes know that a groin injury is not something you can rush. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8977530##It is an internal joint injury, and we were in the title race. I was demotivated because I wanted to get back ASAP,” he admitted.The mental toll of being sidelined also weighed heavily on him.“Being injured hinders your mind. It affects you. I paused and rested because healing is not just physical, it is mental too,” he offered.Gor Mahia star disheartened after Baba Dogo Grounds shuts out young talentsDespite the challenges, the fast-rising striker noted that the period away from the pitch taught him some valuable lessons.“I learnt that there is power in observation. Watching from the sidelines, I got to see the fighting spirit within the team and learned things I would not have noticed on the pitch,” he disclosed.Polepole was also grateful for the support that kept him going.##NAJAVA_MECA_8977538##“My team was very supportive. My coaches kept checking up, and my teammates cheered me on. If it was not for them, I would not be in shape that I am in,” he said.Now back on his feet, Polepole is determined to pick up where he left off and continue contributing to the Brewers’ campaign.With only two matches to go, the Charles Okere-coached side currently sits third on the log with 55 points, six points shy of log leaders Police FC.
