SOL BAMBA came off the bench for Cardiff on Saturday just four months after being diagnosed with cancer.
The centre-back has been undergoing chemotherapy but was summoned off the bench by manager Mick McCarthy in the 95th minute of the Bluebirds’ 1-1 draw with Rotherham.
Cardiff announced Bamba, 36, had Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in January in a touching statement to fans.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer that affects the lymphatic system in the body which is a system of vessels and glands.
The Ivory Coast international started treatment as soon as his condition was confirmed.
And, after making positive steps forward, was allowed to return to training at the beginning of April.
Having continued to progress Bamba made the bench for the final day of the Championship season as his side relegated the visiting Millers.
And with his contract expiring this summer, he was given a chance to get out on the pitch for just the seventh time this season.
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What is Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, a network of vessels and glands spread throughout your body.
The lymphatic system is part of your immune system.
Clear fluid called lymph flows through the lymphatic vessels and contains infection-fighting white blood cells known as lymphocytes.
In non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the affected lymphocytes start to multiply in an abnormal way and begin to collect in certain parts of the lymphatic system, such as the lymph nodes (glands).
The affected lymphocytes lose their infection-fighting properties, making you more vulnerable to infection.
The most common symptom of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a painless swelling in a lymph node, usually in the neck, armpit or groin.
*This information is from the NHS website.
He replaced Josh Murphy in the 95th minute and was given a warm embrace as he made his way onto the pitch.
Fans were made aware of Bamba’s potential involvement ahead of the game when he uploaded a picture online.
It showed his kit and boots laid out and ready and he simply shared them with a blue heart and angel emoji.
ROTHERHAM HEARTBREAK
Paul Warne was left a broken man by Rotherham’s relegation heartbreak.
His Millers side were on course for a great escape from Championship relegation after Lewis Wing’s thunderous volley propelled them towards safety.
But Marlon Pack’s late leveller meant an immediate return to the third tier for Rotherham and spared Wayne Rooney’s blushes at Derby.
It looked like things were finally going the Millers’ way on a chaotic final day in the Championship when they were given lift-off by a stunning volley from Wing after just seven minutes.
Wes Harding’s cross was headed away from the Cardiff box by Perry NG, but Wing advanced towards the high, floating clearance and unleashed a fierce strike from 25 yards out that goalkeeper Dillon Phillips barely saw before it hit the back of the net.
But the visitors missed a hatful of clear-cut chances that would have sealed their safety.
First captain Richard Wood headed wide from a corner before Matt Crooks sliced a shot wide after latching onto a cross from strike partner Michael Smith.
The Rotherham bench were going through a rollercoaster of emotions as news filtered through of the score in the back-and-forth battle between Derby and Sheffield Wednesday.
But in the end, they only had themselves to blame when Pack drilled a low strike into the bottom corner, meaning the Miller’s great grind for survival against all the odds fell short.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
