Nepali national women's football team star striker Savitra Bhandari 'Samba' has appealed for financial support from New Zealand for her treatment. Samba joined New Zealand's Wellington Phoenix in July for the 2025-26 season.

She was injured in the second half of a match against Brisbane Roar in the Australian Women's Football League on December 20. Samba and the Roar goalkeeper collided while heading a ball in the air, causing a serious injury to her right knee.

She said that the injury was serious and required complex surgery, which has not been performed yet. According to initial estimates, the treatment is likely to cost about 80,000 US dollars (more than 1.5 million Nepalese rupees).

Addressing her supporters on Facebook, Samba said, "I am wandering for treatment after the injury." I have been out of the field for 7 weeks now. The graft placed in the previous surgery on the ACL of my knee and both the MCL have been injured. This time, I had to appeal for financial support because I needed a complicated surgery again.'

Samba has also made a serious complaint to the ANFA leadership. She said, 'Previously, ANFA had taken the initiative to manage and support my treatment.' At that time, there were no financial and mental problems, due to which I was able to return to the field on time. But this time, the promised support from ANFA was not received. Only 3 weeks after the injury, the surgery date was set at the club's initiative, but ANFA did not proceed with the process on its behalf.'

She also said that this was the toughest battle of her career. 'Last week, the ANFA president himself informed that administrative support would not be provided. He said that he would only provide Rs 500,000 in cash and that he would do the other procedures himself,' she said. 'This stopped my previous procedure and I had to try again for the surgery date only after about 2 months.' According to

Samba, the club is ready to get me treated at a hospital in New Zealand. But she said that the injury was serious and the treatment she received at the Qatari hospital was of a high standard, so she wanted to get me treated again at the same hospital. She said that the amount received from the insurance would not be enough for the surgery and 7-8 months of 'rehab', so the support of the supporters was essential.

Samba said that since she was abroad, there was a delay in the government process and she could not do without the surgery herself. She said, 'I am the captain of the national team and have been playing for the country. If I have to face this situation, think about what the other players will be like.' She also said that she has been raising her voice continuously but fate has brought her into a difficult situation.

‘I never thought this would happen. After ANFA, which is considered my guardian, backed down, there are ordinary supporters who support me. I am disappointed when I hear the argument within ANFA that I got injured while playing for the club,’ she said. ‘I have always given 100 percent for the country and I am ready to play for the country in the coming days.’