THE HAGUE (DA) — Nigel Thomas will miss Curaçao’s CONCACAF Nations League opener against Costa Rica on Sept. 24, but the ADO Den Haag winger is hoping to be available for the home match against Nicaragua three days later.
While coach Dick Advocaat has said Thomas will join the men’s national team on Friday, the player says he still needs to settle travel arrangements with the team manager. He has not been given a latest departure date.
Two matters must be resolved before he leaves: further assessment of his injured shoulder and the birth of his daughter. His wife could give birth at any moment, and additional medical tests are scheduled for Tuesday.
Advocaat has emphasized Thomas’ eagerness to represent Curaçao and his regular playing time with ADO. Bringing him into the squad would give the national team staff an opportunity to assess him more closely.
For the winger, the immediate sporting target is clear.
“I’m aiming for Sunday’s match,” he said.
Whether he can play remains uncertain. Thomas was told that pain medication and an injection could make playing possible, depending on how much pain he could tolerate. At the time of his account, he still could not lift his arm above shoulder height.
Tuesday’s tests are intended to check for any injury that may have been missed. According to Thomas, the initial examinations ruled out a fracture but found damage to the AC joint, which connects the collarbone and shoulder blade. The surrounding muscles and joint capsule were also affected.
Those examinations took place at a hospital, where Thomas confirmed he was taken by ambulance. That provides further confirmation of Deporte Awe’s earlier reporting that an ambulance had been called to WerkTalent Stadion.
The injury occurred during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with SC Cambuur. After a tackle by Devid Bouah, Thomas landed awkwardly and felt his shoulder come out of place and go back in. He was unable to continue and left on a stretcher.
Curaçao hosts Nicaragua on Sept. 27, followed by matches against Trinidad and Tobago at home on Oct. 1 and away on Oct. 4.