Phil Neville gives Mabika injury update

by Staff Reporter

Tuesday May 03, 2022. 10:00

USA MLS side Inter Miami coach Phil Neville has disclosed that Chipolopolo Zambia defender Aime Mabika sustained a muscle injury in Saturday’s loss against New England Revolution.

Mabika was substituted in the 19th minute of Inter Miami’s 2-0 away loss to New England that saw the Florida sides’ three-match winning run come to an end.

The 23-year-old was one of two Inter Miami injury setbacks in that match together with Ecuadorian striker Leonardo Campana who was substituted earlier in the 12th minute.

“Leo is getting a lot of the praise, and rightfully so, Aime’s been really good the last four games as well,” Neville said.

“I think what you saw tonight was an accumulation of playing three out of the last four games on turf.” as quoted on MLSsoccer.com.

Mabika’s injury setback comes after five successive league starts in all competition, four alone in MLS action, for third from bottom Miami after nine top-flight fixtures played in the 2022 season.

One of Mabika’s personal highlights came on April 17 in Miami’s 2-0 home win over Hartford Athletic that saw his performance earn him a spot on the MLS XI Team of The Week.

The defender made his Chipolopolo debut on March 25 in a 3-1 friendly victory over Congo-Brazzaville that was played in Antalya, Turkey.