3/1 To Win
There’s no good time to pick up an injury in sport.
Even in the fledgling career of Offrande Zanzala, though, his long-term injury was a cruel and untimely blow.
This is a story that begins with the 2015/16 season. Then a first-year professional, the forward was the main source of goals as Derby County’s then Under-21s were promoted to the top-flight of Premier League 2 for the first time in their history.
Zanzala’s form was heavily recognised and led to him making his EFL debut during a loan spell with Stevenage in Sky Bet League 2, whilst he was also on the fringes of the Derby first team towards the end of the campaign.
The 2016/17 season was set to be a big one on a personal level, but an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury, sustained during a pre-season fixture against Norwich City, stopped him in his tracks. He would spend a year on the sidelines.
It was his first serious injury of his career, but through hard work, determination and strong mentality, Zanzala is back to his flying best – so much so that he feels he has returned a ‘stronger’ player.
In an interview with RamsTV, the forward opened up and explained: “I’ve gone through ups and downs with the injury, but the great outcome is that I’m back and playing again.
“It’s good to be back with the lads, but most importantly, I feel as though I’ve come back stronger and more determined to do well.
“It is all about being strong mentally.
“It has been a great experience for myself and it has tested me massively but it feels like I’ve overcome the challenges and now I’m looking to do more.”
There are several major steps that players have to take after sustaining major injuries.
After months in the gym, Zanzala took that final step and returned to competitive Under-23 action on the opening day of the Premier League 2 Division 1 season when Darren Wassall’s side narrowly lost 3-2 to Arsenal at St George’s Park.
Now is all about putting a run of games together, rediscover his full match sharpness and get back to the level he was at before his injury.
He added: “I want to push on to do better than I did before, but the injury as a whole has taught me a lot of lessons, both on and off the pitch.
“Knowing that now I can run to my maximum and still be as physical as I was before is great and mindset is the driving force behind that.
“The main thing for me was getting through pre-season and playing back in the league amongst my other team-mates.”
Pride Park now awaits Zanzala and Derby County’s Under-23s as Wassall’s side are set to face Sunderland in their first fixture of the season at club’s home ground this evening, kick-off: 7pm.
And after unfortunate respective losses against Arsenal (3-2) and Chelsea (2-0), the emphasis on getting the first three points of the campaign is stronger than ever.
“With the league that we’re in, everyone knows that it’s not easy,” Zanzala explained.
“There are very strong teams in there who are going to be competing for the title and who have first team players in their squad.
“We played magnificently in the first two games and were unfortunate not to pick up anything from any of them.
“It’s always a great atmosphere at Pride Park. It’s always great to play there and to have fans supporting you in their numbers.
“Playing at Pride Park makes you feel that bit prouder to wear the shirt.
“Hopefully against Sunderland, I will be able to kick off the season with a goal and put on a good performance.”
