Pic: Sabitra Bhandari after her knee surgery.
Sabitra Bhandari, popularly known as “Samba,”
will be the biggest missing piece for Nepal in the upcoming SAFF
Women’s Championship. As Nepal’s all-time leading scorer and one
of the most influential players in South Asian women’s football,
her absence leaves a massive gap in the national team’s attack and
leadership.
Samba suffered a serious knee injury
on January 3, 2026, while playing for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League Women
in Australia. The injury occurred during a match against Brisbane Roar after a
collision with the goalkeeper. Medical reports later confirmed damage to her ACL
graft and MCL in her right knee, forcing her to undergo major revision surgery.
The injury was especially heartbreaking because it was the second major ACL injury
on the same knee. After publicly speaking about the expensive treatment costs and
limited support available, Samba successfully underwent
surgery in Auckland, New Zealand.
Samba suffered a serious knee injury
on January 3, 2026, while playing for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League Women
in Australia. The injury occurred during a match against Brisbane Roar after a
collision with the goalkeeper. Medical reports later confirmed damage to her ACL
graft and MCL in her right knee, forcing her to undergo major revision surgery.
The injury was especially heartbreaking because it was the second major ACL injury
on the same knee. After publicly speaking about the expensive treatment costs and
limited support available, Samba successfully underwent
surgery in Auckland, New Zealand.
Pic: Still smiling. Samba proves her strength at
Aspetar as she begins the long road back to the pitch.
She is currently in Doha, Qatar,
continuing her rehabilitation at the renowned Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports
Medicine Hospital — the same facility where she previously recovered from her
first ACL injury.
For Nepal, Samba’s absence means more than
just losing a striker. The national team will miss its captain, most reliable goal
scorer, and biggest match-winner ahead of one of the region’s biggest tournaments.
Nepal’s attacking system has often revolved around her pace, finishing ability, and
experience in crucial matches.
As the SAFF Women’s Championship approaches,
the challenge for Nepal will now be finding a way to compete without the player who
has carried the hopes of Nepali women’s football for years.