By Joshua Peck
Yado Mambo is determined to prove doctors wrong and step back onto a football pitch again in the future.
The Ebbsfleet United defender, 26, was this week advised to hang up his boots having suffered another knee injury in the defeat to Wrexham five weeks ago.
The centre-back, who found internet fame last month with the Mambo No. 5 campaign that raised money for Prostate Cancer UK, already suffered from arthritis in both knee joints but he will now seek advice from another specialist.
Mambo told The NLP: “It’s just advice to not play again. I’m still in good spirits and am trying to get a second opinion to see if I can continue or not. I’ve had a lot of issues with knees in the past but I already miss it.
“I really want to prove the doctors wrong. There are ways to strengthen joints and I’m just keeping the faith. I’m still going to be involved at Ebbsfleet, which is lovely of them.
“I’ll be going in on match days and dealing with the sponsors in the hospitality suite. Ebbsfleet are like a family to me and I’m really grateful for the opportunities they’ve given me.”
Mambo started his career at Charlton, also playing for Shrewsbury Town and AFC Wimbledon in the Football League, and Non-League sides including Margate and Chelmsford City.
He had just made the centre-back spot his own at Stonebridge Road when injury got in the way, but the defender knows how quickly things can change.
Mambo said: “Anything can happen in football. I was playing really well and had a good run in the team. The aim has always been to get back into the Football League.
“Plans can change though and they did after my knee injuries. I’ve just been happy to play since then but I had my opportunity and I was really gutted when I got injured – I knew something wasn’t right straight away.
“I had a couple of scans and went to his clinic in London. It was all a blur really and it hasn’t really sunk in now. That’s why I want to have another go. If I don’t play again then so be it, I’ve got nothing to lose.”
*This article originally featured in The @NonLeaguePaper, which is available every Sunday.
