Leicester City’s dressing room welcomed back a familiar face as Abdul Fatawu Issahaku rejoined his teammates for pre-season training, marking the end of what has been a grueling 215-day journey back from a devastating anterior cruciate ligament injury.
The 21-year-old Ghanaian winger’s path to recovery began on that fateful November evening in Luanda, Angola, during Ghana’s crucial 2025 AFCON qualifier.
The Leicester City winger suffered an ACL injury during the crucial match, leading to his substitution in the first half, instantly ending what had been a promising debut Premier League campaign.
What followed was perhaps the darkest period of the young winger’s burgeoning career. The young forward sustained the injury during Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifier against Angola, and medical assessments confirmed the worst-case scenario – a complete ACL rupture that would require surgical intervention and months of intensive rehabilitation.
The timing couldn’t have been more devastating. Issahaku had been finding his rhythm in Leicester’s Premier League setup, having already contributed two assists in 11 appearances and earning praise for his pace and directness on the flanks.
His absence was immediately felt, with then-manager Steve Cooper describing the injury as “a significant setback for both Issahaku and the club.”
The rehabilitation process began almost immediately after successful surgery. The Ghana and Leicester City winger suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in November, ruling him out for the rest of the season, but his determination to return never wavered.
Throughout the winter months, as Leicester battled relegation fears in the Premier League, Issahaku was quietly grinding through the monotonous but essential phases of ACL recovery.
By December, early signs of progress emerged when he was spotted participating in basic movement exercises at Leicester’s training ground.
The club’s medical team, renowned for their methodical approach to injury management, carefully monitored every step of his recovery, ensuring no shortcuts were taken that might compromise his long-term career prospects.
Current Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, who inherited the squad mid-season, had previously lamented Issahaku’s absence.
“I think with Fatawu out on a cruciate, that was a big blow just a week before I started”, he reflected, highlighting the impact the young Ghanaian’s injury had on the team’s tactical options.
Now, as Leicester prepares for their Championship campaign following relegation, Issahaku’s return couldn’t be more timely.
The club needs his pace and creativity to mount a promotion challenge, and early reports from training suggest the winger has retained much of the explosive acceleration that made him such a threat in the top flight.
His successful return also provides hope for Ghana’s national team setup. Having missed the failed AFCON qualification campaign due to his injury, Issahaku will be eager to reclaim his place in the Black Stars squad and help the nation bounce back from recent disappointments.
The 215-day layoff represents more than just a number – it’s a testament to the resilience and mental fortitude required to overcome one of football’s most challenging injuries.
For Issahaku, stepping back onto the Leicester City training ground marks not just a return to football, but the beginning of what he hopes will be a redemptive chapter in his young career.
Story Written By Prince Asante Kwarteng | Kobby Kyei News
