England-based duo of Patson Daka and Enock Mwepu will miss tonight’s international friendly match
against Mali in Bamako after being ruled out due to medical reasons, according to a statement by the Football Association of Zambia(FAZ).
FAZ confirmed the development on Friday morning that the Brighton and Hove Albion FC midfielder and Leicester City FC striker will not be available for the back-to-back friendly matches today and on Monday despite the two having reported for camp in Mali.
Meanwhile, Sekhukhune United FC goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata will also not be part of tonight’s
match due to injury but remains on the mend, says FAZ.
FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala has, however, stated that the rest of the squad members are in good shape and ready for this evening’s encounter in Bamako.
“It is with a deep sense of sadness that we announce the absence of Chipolopolo Captain Enock
Mwepu and Patson Daka in the two FIFA International friendly matches against Mali in
Bamako. The England-based pair were the first players to arrive in Bamako alongside Sweden
domiciled Emmanuel Banda but unfortunately will play no further part due to medical reasons,”
said Kashala.
“We wish the afflicted players a quick recovery and thank them for having swiftly responded to
national duty,”
Mwepu and Daka are now the fifth and sixth players to be ruled out of the friendly matches after Italy-based winger Lamack Banda, midfielder Lubambo Musonda, goalkeeper Toasta Nsabata as well as Simba Sc’s Cletus Chama who excused himself from the camp citing family commitments.
The Chipolopolo boys who will be led by assistant coach Moses Sichone will clash with a star-studded Mali side that will be looking to beat the Southern African side for the first time in their history.
Apart from the 2016 meeting which only featured local based players from both countries at the African Nations Championship which ended 0-0, the two last met in 2005 during the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in a match that saw Zambia beat Mali 2-1 with goals scored by Linos Chalwe and Collins Mbesuma and Soumaïla Coulibaly.
