With the Premier Soccer League being put on ice, and the subsequent nationwide lockdown that followed, Mauricio Affonso has benefited greatly from the time-out.
In March, it was confirmed by the club that the striker had undergone ankle surgery and would not be part of the Mamelodi Sundowns squad for the rest of the season as the operation ruled him out for at least three months.
There has been no football for that exact duration because of the Coronavirus outbreak across the globe, and it has given Affonso, who joined Masandawana at the start of the 2019/20 season, some sufficient recovery time.
“It’s going well. It’s been three months since the operation and thankfully that had gone well. I did it at the right time because I was dragging these pains in my ankle and it wasn’t allowing me to play at my best,” the forward offered an update from his home in Uruguay.
“I must say this lockdown has allowed me to heal properly and relax a bit. And also not be so anxious because if you are busy with rehabilitation and you see the football continuing around the world and Sundowns carrying on, the anxiety can make you want to play before you are ready but thankfully this wasn’t the case.”
Affonso was beginning to find his feet in a new environment when the injury held him back, with 6 goals from 13 games in all competitions.
“I’ve been recovering well and just taking it day by day. To be honest, with these long injuries you have to be patient. But thankfully I’ve been feeling good and working well with the physiotherapist here in Uruguay,” he explained.
Like most in the football fraternity, Affonso is awaiting the greenlight before he can return back to South Africa for the season restart.
“Obviously I am just waiting like everyone for everything to go back to normal with this COVID situation. I am also excited to travel back to SA to see the team and train again with them. The time I’ve spent with the team has been great,” he added.
“I felt welcomed by the coaches, my teammates and the directors. So right now I am just waiting for when I can return and play football which is what I love.”
Good to see you recoving well affonso, can’t wait to see you back in business.
Welcome back to bolster the team
I just can’t wait to see you on the field of play doing what you like to do
Well come back offonso we want to see you again in the field
I believe and trust as you said “lock down” has helped you manage to take more time to heal,glad now you can return with full force and makes us your fans proud
Great news. Bang those goals Mauricio
You won us a cup from a short time, since you joined your impact has been felt, thanks
Thts sounds good my brother i cant wait to see in the field again cz u are a gud striker let me u are the best striker man i salute yu Afonso nkosi yankantolo
Well come back brother u are the lovely player to me
U have already done enough for us moses mabhida stadium will always be in my heart, u have written the history books of sundowns fc
Welcome back Mauricio Affonso.our heart is on you.your a good striker.we can wait to see you
Good News and welcome back
Good news welcome back
Please boys make us proud we need this 10th absa premiership.
Well come back brother ,we expecting more from u brother, show them how to do it .
Sundowns is the big team if you want to sinng the players you can sinng
I am hoping ,next season you will really show who you are with the understanding of South African football. Let these few matches be your practise and knew how to lift the championship
I am hoping ,next season you will really show who you are with the understanding of South African football. Let these few matches be your practise and knew how to lift the championship
I am happy to hear that Afonso is doing well after that injury. Look forward to him becoming the centrepiece of Sundowns attack. We have not had a striker like him in a long time…