Zambia lose their forwards Patson Daka (Hamburger SV), Lameck Banda (Al Swehly SC) and Gamphani Lungu (Orlando Pirates), all injured, for the double confrontation against Burundi, according to Flashscore.
Coach George Lwandamina must do without three of his forwards, withdrawn from the Zambian squad for the double confrontation against Burundi. The national team doctor, George Magwende, detailed the three cases, and Daka’s situation draws the first attention.
Daka, the ultrasound and 7 to 10 days
Daka injured his right ankle during Hamburg SV’s 3-1 win over Mönchengladbach on 6 November. For Banda and Lungu, the absences are longer.
“Patson Daka suffered a right ankle injury which he sustained during Hamburg SV’s 3-1 win over Monchengladbach on 6 November. The ultrasound revealed he had a mild strain that will require about 7-10 days to recover,” explained George Magwende, quoted by Flashscore. A mild sprain, according to this diagnosis, but enough to rule the forward out of the squad.
Daka has 22 international goals in around 55 to 57 caps, according to Flashscore. His absence is all the more notable given that Zambia’s treatment room also includes Kingstone Mutandwa, Ackim Mumba and Jackson Phiri, all ruled out, while Owen Tembo is suspended for the first leg.
Banda and Lungu, two weeks and more
Lameck Banda, who picked up a left thigh injury on club duty, will be out for at least two weeks. “Lameck Banda sustained a left hamstring muscle injury whilst on club duty and will be out for at least two weeks. We also have Gamphani Lungu who has a right ankle sprain which could take about 14-21 days,” continued the national team doctor.
Lungu has a right ankle sprain that could require 14 to 21 days out. Yet the forward played the full Carling Knockout quarter-final won 1-0 against Sekhukhune United on Saturday, reports AfricaSoccer. Signed from Siwelele FC in June, he has made 12 appearances and scored 4 goals for Orlando Pirates, who will play their semi-final against Stellenbosch over the weekend of 21-22 November.
Zambia host Burundi on 13 November at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, before the return leg in Bujumbura on 17 November. In Group I, Algeria lead with 4 points, ahead of Zambia (3 points), Togo (3 points) and Burundi (1 point), according to Flashscore.
Burundi in their sights
To replace the three absentees, Lwandamina has called up Edward Chilufya (Israel), Derrick Bulaya (Green Eagles) and Prince Mumba (Al Garaf-Iraq), according to the same source.