Injured in the knee with Servette, Zambian striker Kingstone Mutandwa will be out for around eight weeks. He will miss Zambia’s AFCON qualifier against Burundi next Friday and is not expected back before early 2027.
A knee injury picked up last Saturday deprives Zambia of one of its strikers. Kingstone Mutandwa, a Servette forward, suffered it in his club’s match against FC St. Gallen, reports BolaNews. According to the same source, the Swiss club has confirmed an absence of around eight weeks, with a return to competition expected in early 2027.
The Chipolopolo’s schedule takes a hit: the striker will miss the AFCON qualifier against Burundi, scheduled for next Friday. Bad news for head coach George Lwandamina, who loses one of his starters as Zambia enters a decisive phase of its qualifying campaign.
Just nine minutes
The player, who is on loan, was substituted after only nine minutes against St. Gallen, according to BolaNews. An early change, made before the club confirmed the length of his spell on the sidelines.
Mutandwa spoke out after his injury. “Every time I step onto the pitch, my prayer is always to come back healthy. Unfortunately, injuries are part of football, but I thank God that it wasn’t anything more serious,” he told BolaNews. He added, again in the outlet’s pages: “I’m grateful to everyone who has checked on me and kept me in their prayers. Your love means a lot.”
One starter fewer
Mutandwa was also a starter for the national team: he began the recent matches against Algeria and Togo, BolaNews recalls. His withdrawal for next Friday therefore leaves the head coach without one of his starting forwards.
Zambia is second in Group I with 3 points, one behind Algeria and level with Togo, according to BolaNews.
The question of the attack remains. Patson Daka, back to fitness, is expected to be recalled, according to BolaNews. The Hamburger SV striker had been fielded behind Mutandwa in the first qualifying match.
The return timetable
Zambia’s next fixture is the match against Burundi next Friday, in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. It will be played without Mutandwa, who will not be available.
For his part, the player is not expected back in competition until early 2027, according to the timetable confirmed by Servette and relayed by BolaNews.