Zambia suffer double injury blow

...ahead of Ghana clash

Zambia have been dealt a devastating blow as strikers Collins Mbesuma and Jacob Mulenga have been ruled out of their crucial World Cup qualifier against Ghana through injury.


Chipolopolo team doctor Joseph Kubango confirmed the devastating news at the team’s training camp in South Africa.


“Collins is doing very well, but I think it is a little premature to bring him back now. He needs a little bit more time,” Kubango said.


He added: “It is an injury and it’s not a fitness problem. He has an ankle problem on the right.


“At most two weeks yesterday he trained with the team, but after we saw him later we thought it wise he continues with his rehab.”

On Mulenga, Kabungo revealed FC Utrecht had finally got in touch with the Zambian bench with correspondence.


“I got correspondence from his club that Mr. Jacob Mulenga has a thigh muscle injury,” he said.


“They sent me some scans that they did in the Netherlands. But the only problem we had was they should have followed the normal procedure and allowed the player to travel for us to assess him so that’s the only disappointing point.”


The duo has recorded five goals between them during this qualifying series, but will now be unable to help the Chipolopolo against the Black Stars on Friday.


Their absence will thus have a negative toll on the team that is currently camping in Johannesburg for the must win match in Kumasi.