ISL 2023-24: Justine Emmanuel returns to Kerala Blasters after loan spell with Gokulam

A long-term injury to Kwame Peprah is cited as the key reason for recalling Justine Emmanuel.

Kerala Blasters FC have announced the arrival of Justine Emmanuel after recalling him from his loan spell at I-League club Gokulam Kerala FC. The forward is set to join up with the squad for the remainder of the 2023-24 Indian Super League (ISL) season. A long-term injury to Kwame Peprah is cited as the key reason for recalling Emmanuel from his loan spell in the second tier of the Indian football league pyramid.

Kwame Peprah will be out for the rest of the season after picking up a groin injury in the 2024 Super Cup while representing the Yellow Army. The 23-year-old striker made 12 appearances for Kerala Blasters in the ISL, scoring two goals and making one assist in the process.

He scored twice for Kerala Blasters FC in the Super Cup’s first fixture, a 3-1 win over Shillong Lajong. However, the Ghanaian picked up a terrible groin injury in the final group fixture against NorthEast United which also resulted in a 4-1 defeat for the Yellow Army.

High expectations from Justine Emmanuel

Kerala Blasters FC fans have high expectations from Justine Emmanuel who returns after a brief loan spell at Gokulam Kerala FC. He scored twice for the Yellow Army in the 2023 Durand Cup before making his move to the Malabarians in the I-League.

Across 11 appearances in the I-League and the Super Cup, Justine Emmanuel scored one goal for Gokulam Kerala FC and clocked 495 minutes of game-time. His goal will be to help Kerala Blasters FC secure playoff qualification and potentially win the ISL Winner’s Shield in the second leg of the season.

There is a lot of excitement amongst the fans of the Yellow Army ahead of Justine Emmanuel’s return to the club. It will be interesting to see how Ivan Vukomanovic, the head coach utilises the qualities he brings to the table.

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