Mnoga to be handed big Blues chance after forgettable loan stint
AFTER an extended period of anonymity, Haji Mnoga is set to return to the field this week.
The 19-year-old hasn’t played senior football for almost two months, since his nightmare loan spell at National League Bromley came to a premature end.
But he’s expected to take to the field for Pompey in tonight’s EFL Trophy clash with Exeter City alongside a number of fledging academy kids, as he waits to see where his next career step takes him.
It’s an opportunity the versatile defender has been waiting for to continue his development, and to prove his reputation as one of the Blues’ hottest prospects.
His last appearance for the Ravens ended in disgrace during November’s FA Cup clash with Rotherham.
Only six minutes after being introduced from the bench in the second half he was sent off for a crunching challenge on Chiedozie Ogbene, which saw the Northern Ireland international immediately subbed off to receive treatment.
And Bromley boss Andy Woodman exiled Mnoga from his squad shortly after, resulting in a return to the south coast a month before his temporary spell was scheduled to end.
In total, Mnoga played six times for the non-league outfit and failed to complete a full 90 minutes at Hayes Lane.
During the first half of the season, the teenager was still occasionally training with Pompey and was able to feature in the club’s EFL
Trophy group games.
He operated on the right side of a back three and played the entirety of the 5-3 defeat to AFC Wimbledon in early September.
Then, Mnoga returned to Fratton Park to play in defensive midfield in the
2-0 defeat to Sutton United a month later – but was substituted at half-time after struggling with a slight injury in the first half.
Cowley has explained how Mnoga’s looked a different animal in training following his Bromley disappointment.