Olalekan cleared of fracture injury

Olalekan (middle) with teammates

Sharks centre-back, Gabriel Olalekan, may not require surgery after he was cleared by doctor's report of any fracture to his jaw.

According to a statement from Sharks, the defender did not suffer any fracture to his cheekbone or jaw after he was kicked in the face by Dolphins striker, Ebube Okpokwu, during a challenge for the ball in last Saturday's Garden City derby.

However, Olalekan still needs to undergo one more x-ray on Wednesday before he is totally cleared to go home and begin rehabilitation in a bid return to football.

"The management of Sharks FC is glad to inform its teeming supporters, well wishers, friends and family members of centre-half Gabriel Olalekan who was admitted in the hospital following an on the field incident could be discharged in a couple of days after one more round of x-ray tomorrow (Wednesday).

"The news of Olalekan’s discharge follows recent medical report which indicated he did not suffer any fracture following the kick in his face off the boot of Dolphins Ebube Okpokwu in the NPFL Week 5 Port Harcourt derby," a statement from Sharks read late on Tuesday.

The former 3SC man was excited to receive his teammates, and officials at the hospital where he is being treated.

Olalekan is optimistic that he will return to playing for the Blue Angels and set the time frame for his return at a fortnight.

“You guys are making me feel like one big government official with your visits, you keep making my day for me.

“I can walk, I can eat, I can think about the game again by the grace of God. I should be on the field of play in another two weeks. I just want to give all the glory to God and I am okay and hundred percent fit now," he said.

Olalekan is expected to miss Sharks games against Gombe United and Nasarawa United and might even be excused from their trip to Kaduna United.