The reigning Guatemalan football champions, Xelajú MC, have bad news: one of their players will be out for a long time. Denilson Ochaeta, who is renowned for his valiant performance against Antigua GFC in the previous tournament’s semi-finals, sustained a severe knee injury that will prevent him from playing for several months. His absence is a major setback for Amarini Villatoro’s team, which now has to look for other options within the group.
The midfield player must have reconstructive surgery as a result of the diagnosis, which is a frequent treatment for this kind of injury but has a protracted recovery period. Experts estimate that recovery from anterior cruciate ligament surgery usually takes eight to nine months, while athletes may be able to return in as little as six months, depending on their recuperation and the physical therapy they get.
This setback poses a serious obstacle to Xelajú’s hopes of defending their crown. In addition to changing the team’s strategy, Ochaeta had made a name for himself as a vital midfield player. Coach Villatoro will now have to reconsider his plans and locate a qualified substitute to cover his absence for the rest of the competition.
