Hamburger SV’s 2–0 victory away to FC Heidenheim came with a worrying note for midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga.
Shortly before half-time, the Belgian collided with Heidenheim defender Patrick Mainka and did not return for the second half.
Head coach Merlin Polzin explained after the match that Lokonga tried everything in the dressing room to get ready for the restart and even tested himself again on the pitch. However, the midfielder ultimately listened to his body and, as Polzin put it, “He has made the decision himself not to continue.”
A final diagnosis has not yet been made, but reports suggest a potentially serious issue. According to the Hamburger Abendblatt, the worst-case scenario is a ligament injury in Lokonga’s ankle, and the player was instructed to rest the foot on Sunday, the team’s day off.
Later in the evening, BILD indicated that the signs of a ligament problem had become more concrete and that many factors point towards this type of injury.
An MRI scan is scheduled for Monday and should provide clarity on the exact damage. Only then will HSV know how long the influential midfielder is likely to be sidelined.
