With less than 48 hours before Zambia’s first World Cup qualification match against Congo Brazzaville, coach Avram Grant has been faced with a serious issue of growing injuries.
While Frankie Musonda and Kelvin Kapumbu are already out of the qualifiers due to injuries, Evans Kangwa has joined the list, with Lubambo Musonda also in doubt for Friday’s clash, while Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba has been declared fit.
“He [Lubambo Musonda] sustained a spring injury to one of his ligaments after he was called to camp on Friday last week,” said team doctor Wesley Ngongo.
“The medics [at his club, Silkeborg FC] did a good job and started treatment early,” he added.
Dr. Ngongo further said that it is very unlikely that the skipper will pass his fitness test.
“From our assessment, we are looking at the fact that the game is only two days away, and we felt that there was not enough time for his recovery, so for him [Lubambo], it is unlikely that he can make it for the game,” he stated.
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Grant has already made new call-ups, with FC MUZA striker Andrew Phiri and Israel-based defender Gift Mpande added to the squad.
Zambia faces Congo Brazzaville this Friday at the Levy Mwanawansa stadium before traveling to Morocco for a clash with Niger three days in their second Group E match of the qualifiers.