Zambian striker Jack Lahne was excused from joining the Chipolopolo Boys camp ahead of the Four Nations tournament and the international friendly against Argentina.
His club, Austria Lustenau, asked the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to excuse the player as he is currently nursing an injury.
“Unfortunately, we must inform you that Jack Kalichi Lahne sustained a muscle injury during the league match against Sturm Graz II. As we are currently competing for promotion, we do not want to take any risks and would therefore like to excuse the player from participation in the Four Nations Tournament in Botswana,” read the letter by the club to FAZ’s secretariat, as exclusively seen by BolaNews.
The club’s sporting director, Dieter Alge, further told FAZ that, “The player’s health is our top priority. Jack is very sorry about this situation and looks forward to future opportunities to represent the Zambia senior national team.”
Meanwhile, sources close to Lahne have disclosed to BolaNews that the striker was eager to join the national team camp, but his injury and his club’s promotion push have led him to stay.
Lustenau are topping the Austrian Bundesliga 2 with 40 points and, with only ten matches remaining, are in strong contention to secure promotion to the top flight.
Lahne made his debut for Zambia last November against South Africa and went on to score his first international goal against Angola.
He was also part of the AFCON squad but played only one minute against Comoros.
Zambia is participating in the Four Nations tournament in Botswana, while the senior team is in Argentina for a friendly against the Lionel Messi-led world champions on Tuesday.
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