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Tivoli Gardens FC face indefinite wait for injured star
September 02, 2025
Tivoli Gardens Football Club's head coach Jerome Waite says there is no timeline for the return of inspirational winger, Nickalia Fuller, who picked up a knee injury at the end of last season.
Fuller netted 11 goals last season and was the club's joint top-scorer, along with Anthony Nelson.
For much of last season, Fuller was the inspiration as Tivoli Gardens FC qualified for their second successive quarter-finals.
The 20-year-old, who was stretchered off in the second leg quarter-final against Montego Bay United FC, and was seen getting a 'piggy-back' to a car with a swollen knee after that game, is still in need of medical treatment.
"Presently he has a knee injury and we are hoping that the hierarchy who have to deal with that in the medical field (do so) and so he can be back," Waite commented.
Waite, by his estimation, says the injury is not severe to require surgery, but some medical attention is required to get the player back up to speed.
"It is serious but not that serious. But it is something that needs to be dealt with," he stated.
Meanwhile, despite picking up just one point and scoring one goal from their two Jamaica Premier League matches this season, Waite expects his team to eventually come good.
"If you can remember Tivoli started pretty slow last season. And it is the same thing we are encountering this year also," he analysed.
"It is a work in progress. Despite us not scoring much goals in the two games we have played, it is only a matter of time before we get our footing right," he said.
For Tivoli's first game against Chapelton Maroons FC, which they lost 2-1, Waite had only two players on the bench.
But in their 0-0 draw against Portmore United FC on Sunday, the west Kingston team had a full bench. Although Waite is pleased to be getting back players, he pointed out that their fitness level is far below what is required.
"It is a good feeling to have players back and we expect to see more players. We have one and two on the injury list, and others who need to join the team," he shared.
"One of the things you will have to manage is the fitness level of our team ... we are about 35 per cent (fit) and we are not where we ought to be at this time. But it is a work in progress."
In spite of the early struggles in their offence, Waite believes their defence has shown some good signs over the two matches.
"Today (Sunday) we fought stoutly and the goalkeeper (Diego) Haughton did well. The defensive unit has really stood out," he said.
"They have kept their organisation, and one plus has to be the goalkeeper (Haughton) again. He came up big in terms of the opportunities that were created by the opponents."
