Three players have been ruled out of Zambia’s must-win Caf Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) 1st round, return leg qualifier against Botswana to be played in Lusaka this Saturday.
Topping the list of casualties is the team’s influential midfielder William Njobvu of Lusaka Dynamos.
Njobvu has not recovered from an injury on his right knee he sustained on May 2 in the 1st leg that Zambia lost 1-0 in Gaborone.
The Dynamos midfielder is out for at least 3 weeks and also missed his clubs 2-1 league win over Young Arrows last Saturday away at Nkoloma Stadium.
“The doctor says I have to rest completely for the next three weeks and so am out completely,” Njobvu said today at the end of Tuesday mornings training session.
The other two injured players are Power Dynamos defensive midfielder Francis Kasonde and Zesco United striker Enoch Sakala who both have malaria.
Kasonde’s situation has been compounded by the fact that he has also sustained a deep cut on his lower left eyelid on top of a knee injury that he during Power’s scoreless home draw against City of Lusaka this pasted Saturday.
Coach Peter Kaumba says no new call-ups will be drafted into the team.
Kaumba will be banking Zanaco midfielder Stophira Sunzu to take Njobvu’s position while striker Emmanuel Mayuka of Kabwe Warriors returns to ease the teams striking problems.
Meanwhile, Saturdays CHAN qualifier against Botswana will be played at Woodlands Stadium.
Zambia must win this weekend at home against Botswana to progress to the final 3rd round qualifying stage in November.
In the third-round, a potential date against either Angola or Mozambique awaits for the winner between Zambia and Botswana.
Angola drew 1-1 away to Mozambique in the first leg a fortnight ago.
The overall winner will host victor of the Zambia-Botswana match in the third-round, first leg during the weekend of November 28-30.
Kaumba has failed to bring anything tangible at under 23 level,I am wondering why the guy is still THERE despite having abundunt talent at this level.We understand that Faz might not be rich but this should NOT be an excuse for failing to employ capable people.If money is their problem then let them resign Zambia has people who can turn the association in a money generating organisation.Just for me to buy a Zambia national team track suit is war,I cant find it.Selling things like jerseys can help them raise enough money to pay for better coaches that topping up on the money from KCM and GRZ
I have not seen much faith in Peter Kaumba. Faz conduct a reshuffle at all levels. Why is Mr Kaumba a sacred cow?
Apparently it appears as though Mr Kaumba is the only notable surviving former soccer stars in the class of the 70’s. I am talking about the likes of the late Alex Chola, Godfrey Ucar Chitalu, Samuel Zoom Njovu, Willie Phiri (presently in the armchair due to accident), etc. Maybe thats why FAZ have a soft spot for this ‘old man’. Maybe there are no other natable coaches with a pedigree. This is my opinion.
Kaumba has proved that he can not deliver.FAZ should consider replacing him.Enough is enough.
why is FAZ wasting time on this *****, they want to wait until we exit from this competition to act. Kalu where are you are not seeing that the man is a failure just look at the way he looks hes far from being a coach or worse still a kaponya, he is tired has no initiative, arrogant and adamant fool. H e has caused flictions with the young players, and will fail us the way he did for Beinjing, suck the hassle before we loose to Bostwana.
Well, when all is said and done, the brighter side of things suggests that probably the junior chipolopolo will benefit fro continuity. At this level, experience is what the boys need to acquire and they need stability to do this. Anyway, the longer Kaumba stays, the more he is likely to learn one or two things about the beautiful game.
Kaumba kuya bebele
#6 he will be like Mugabe or Kaunda or kamuzu.In politics we have two terms and in sport its supposed to be trophies and not just continuity,coaching jobs are not suppoesed to be charitable jobs or pre schools