Zambia have suffered another injury setback after Hamburg SV striker Patson Daka, Al-Swehly SC winger Lameck Banda and Orlando Pirates’ Gamphani Lungu were ruled out of the back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Burundi, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has announced.
The injured trio have been replaced by Israel-based Edward Chilufya, Derrick Bulaya of Green Eagles and Prince Mumba, who plays for Iraqi side Al-Gharraf.
FAZ said Chipolopolo team doctor George Magwende confirmed that the three players had been ruled out of both matches because their recovery periods exceed seven days.
Magwende said the respective clubs had been liaising with the Chipolopolo medical team regarding the players’ conditions.
Daka suffered a right ankle injury during Hamburg SV’s 3-1 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach on November 6. An ultrasound scan revealed a mild strain that is expected to require seven to 10 days of recovery.
Banda sustained a left hamstring injury while on club duty and is expected to be sidelined for at least two weeks, while Lungu suffered a right ankle sprain that could take between 14 and 21 days to heal.
The Chipolopolo will also be without Kingstone Mutandwa, Ackim Mumba and Jackson Phiri, who were previously ruled out of the back-to-back assignments due to injuries, while Kings Kangwa is expected to return from a four-match suspension.
Zambia host Burundi at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Friday at 15:00 before travelling to Bujumbura for the return fixture four days later.
