‘MEGA’ INJURY BAFFLES DOCTORS, AS: SCAN REVEALS NO FAULT

MBABANE – What could be the real problem?

This is the gripping narrative of Mbabane Highlanders’ stalwart defender, Melusi ‘Mega’ Magagula.  The eagerly-awaited results of his Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans revealed an astonishing finding. Despite Magagula’s ongoing visual impairment, the scans revealed no damage to his eyes, baffling both medical professionals and Magagula himself.

The talented player suffered a devastating injury during the match against ‘Ingwemabalabala’ at KaLanga Technical Centre about three weeks ago, leaving his team and supporters reeling in shock and concern. Leopard won the MTN Premier League game over Highlanders with a 2-0 victory. In addition to suffering a demoralising loss, the Mbabane giants were dealt a crushing blow as their vibrant right-back, ‘Mega’, was taken to the hospital after sustaining a serious injury that affected his vision.

As reported by this publication on Friday, the right back, Melusi Magagula, underwent an MRI scan at Ekuphileni Clinic, on Tuesday. The scan, which cost approximately E15 000, revealed an unexpected finding: despite Magagula’s ongoing visual impairment, no damage was found in his eyes, leaving doctors and medical experts scratching their heads.

“Although the MRI scans detected no damage to his eyes, Melusi continues to suffer from vision impairment. This puzzling situation, known as non-organic vision loss, has challenged our traditional understanding of vision and the link between eye damage and visual impairment. We are left with more questions than answers, yet remain committed to explore every possible avenue in our quest to comprehend Melusi’s condition and offer him the best possible care,” a source said. A doctor, speaking on the condition of anonymity, disclosed to our publication that Magagula’s case was particularly complex and challenging.

Injury

“Initial suspicions were centred on the possibility of an optic nerve injury in his eye, leading the medical team to administer steroids to reduce any potential swelling. The hope was that by reducing the swelling, the underlying cause of the vision impairment could be more clearly identified. However, even after these measures, the cause of Melusi’s condition remains elusive, necessitating further investigation and consultation with specialists in the field,” the doctor said.

Eswatini Football Association (EFA) President Peter ‘Samora’ Simelane expressed deep concern over the developments related to Melusi Magagula, emphasising the organisation’s commitment to monitoring the situations closely. “The club informed us that they are exploring various options for assisting the player, with the possibility of seeking medical care in South Africa if a viable solution cannot be found within Eswatini,” he said.

It is essential to acknowledge that prior to the MRI scan, the ‘Inkunzi’emnyama’ player had undergone a computed tomography (CT) scan, but the results were equally inconclusive, leaving the underlying cause of his vision impairment a persistent mystery. The hope that the MRI scan, widely regarded as a highly sophisticated diagnostic tool, would provide a definitive answer was ultimately not realised.

Experts further say sometimes injuries are too small or subtle to show up on these scans, especially in the early stages. Another factor to consider is that certain types of pain might stem from nerve damage or inflammation rather than a visible structural problem like a fracture or tear, which might not always be evident in conventional imaging studies.

Diagnostic

In these cases, alternative diagnostic procedures like ultrasound or arthroscopy may be recommended to identify soft tissue damage or other issues not captured by traditional MRI and CT technologies. Meanwhile, in an emotional interview, Magagula candidly shared the trials and tribulations he has endured since suffering the devastating injury during his match against Royal leopard.

He emotionally highlighted the profound impact the incident has had on his physical, emotional and financial well-being, as well as that of his family. He emphasised his deep-seated desire to regain his vision and resume his football career, a passion that has been cruelly curtailed by his current predicament.

Meanwhile, in a touching display of solidarity and faith, football supporters from across the country  gathered at the Mfanyana Hall in Manzini to offer prayers and words of comfort for Magagula and Mbabane Swallows player Given Lukhele. The two players face challenging health situations. The national prayer meeting, convened in the hopes of invoking divine intervention and spiritual healing for the afflicted athletes, served as a powerful reminder of the strength of the community and the unifying power of sport. The fans donated over E1 000, with each player to get E540.

Those wishing to support to Melusi Magagula and his family during this challenging time are encouraged to contact his mother, Lulu Mkhonta, at 7605 0258.

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