Cádiz midfielder Jack Onganya is set to spend several months on the sidelines after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during Kenya U23’s 4-1 victory over Tanzania U23 in the first leg of their 2027 U23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier last week.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsOnganya replaced Henry Omolo in the 55th minute at Nyayo Stadium but went down minutes later. He attempted to continue playing despite the injury before eventually being forced off in the 71st minute, with Syphus Owuor coming on as his replacement.Referee attack causes abandonment of Kariobangi Sharks, Mombasa United playoff [VIDEO]The midfielder subsequently returned to Cádiz in Spain for further medical assessment, where examinations confirmed that he had torn his ACL. He is now set to undergo surgery, with the injury expected to keep him out of action for an extended period.ACL injuries are among the most serious setbacks for footballers, with recovery following surgery typically taking between nine and 12 months, depending on the severity of the injury, the individual’s rehabilitation progress and medical assessment.##NAJAVA_MECA_10012305##Although players can resume basic daily activities much earlier in the rehabilitation process, returning to competitive football requires a much longer period of recovery. The reconstructed ligament also undergoes a biological process known as ligamentization, during which the graft gradually adapts and remodels within the body.For Onganya, the injury therefore represents a significant setback as he begins what is expected to be a lengthy rehabilitation programme.Kenya weather Tanzania storm to advance in U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiersKenya U23 head coach Anthony 'Modo' Kimani confirmed the extent of the injury, revealing that the Cádiz midfielder required further treatment after sustaining the knee problem.“Jack Onganya sustained a knee injury which needed further treatment, and he went back to his club in Spain for further examination. What we have now been told is that he tore his ACL,” Kimani revealed.##NAJAVA_MECA_10012302##The injury is a major blow for Onganya, who had been part of the Emerging Stars squad during their U23 AFCON qualification campaign.Kenya will now have to navigate the remainder of the qualification campaign without the Cádiz midfielder as they seek to secure a place at the 2027 U23 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.