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Cape Town - Orlando Pirates captain Oupa Manyisa has returned to training following his injury and has revealed his ambition to return a better player.
The midfielder has been out since last year September after suffering a fractured fibula but has returned to full training and is working on regaining his fitness.
According to the clubs website, the 27-year-old reveals his delight to return to full team training and his new found appreciation for the sport.
“I am happy to be back,” said Manyisa.
“I’m happy to be back doing what I love… playing football again.
“I have a deeper appreciation for this game now. At times you get lost in the moment and take things for granted.
“I am taking it one step at a time. It was difficult at first but I had to have faith that it was part of God’s plan which served as a motivating factor for me.”
With being sidelined for a lengthy period Manyisa says that he spent a long time thinking how important football is to him.
“Having spent time off, sitting on the sidelines, I've grown to realise how central this game is to my life….it is not just soccer.
“It is my passion, my career, my life and so I don’t want to take any of it for granted.”
Ace, as he is affectionately known has not kicked a ball since injuring his foot back in the goalless draw against Polokwane City on September 22, 2015.
And despite being on the sidelines for so long, the Bucs midfielder says he is in no rush to get back to playing competitive football.
“I am in no hurry to come back, I want to continue working hard at training and just try my level best to be in the best possible condition fitness wise so that when I eventually do come back I'm fitter and stronger than before.”
The club’s medical team confirmed that they are happy with the progress he is making in terms of recovery but are not yet in a position to confirm an exact date of his return to first team football.
