The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has confirmed that the Copper Queens’ first-choice, Hazel Nali, has been ruled out of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup due to a knee injury.
“The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) wishes to inform its members and stakeholders that the Zambia Women National Team first choice goalkeeper Hazel Nali’s FIFA World Cup journey has come to an end due to injury,” read part of the statement by FAZ.
The Association’s secretary general, Reuben Kamanga, was also quoted as saying, “A preliminary examination was done in Germany, which led to the player missing the friendly match, with an MRI done in New Zealand ruling out the player for the rest of the tournament. Our medics, in liaison with the FIFA Medical Committee, have informed us that Nali suffered laxity in the Medial Collateral Ligament and a complete tear of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL).”
Kamanga also disclosed that it has been indicated that it will take at least six months for the 25-year-old to regain full fitness; thus, she will return to Zambia.
Nali’s penalty heroics in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Quarter-Final helped Zambia qualify for the World Cup.
After saving a penalty against Senegal in the shootout, she sent the Copper Queens to Australia/New Zealand when she fired past her opposite number to win the match.
Nali is the longest-serving goalkeeper on the squad, having featured at the 2018 and 2022 Africa Cup finals after graduating from the U-17.
