Africa-Press – Zambia. FAZ have confirmed that influential midfielder Enock Mwepu is ruled out for this week’s 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup Group B qualifier doubleheader against Equatorial Guinea.
The Brighton midfielder and Chipolopolo captain will not travel for the Group B away and home dates against Equatorial Guinea due to a groin injury he sustained a fortnight ago.
Mwepu has so far missed two games for his English club due to his injury. “He will miss both ties on October 7 and October 10 due to the injury,” FAZ spokesperson Sydney Mungala said.
“We have enough cover from the players that the coaches have called and we hope they can rise to the occasion and fill the boots that Mwepu has left who is also the teams’ captain.”
Mwepu’s absence means Chipolopolo coach Beston Chambeshi will only have seven overseas call-ups for the October 7 away date in Malabo and the final leg in Lusaka on October 10.
Meanwhile, 14 home-based players who have been holding a six-day training camp in Cameroon since Thursday were joined in Douala on Monday by Clatous Chama of RS Berkane of Morocco, Evans Kangwa of Arsenal Tula in Russia and Rally Bwalya of Tanzanian champions Simba SC.
“More players are expected to join today (Tuesday) goalkeeper Mwenya Chibwe of Baroka FC in South Africa, defender Tandi Mwape of TP Mazembe, Lubambo Musonda of Horsens in Denmark and Patson Daka of Leicester City,”Mungala said.
Zambia will leave Cameroon on Wednesday and take a 45 minute flight from Yaoundé to Malabo ahead of Thursdays’ match-day-three clash away in Malabo. Mungala said Chipolopolo will later depart Equatorial Guinea immediately after Thursday evening’s game on a chartered flight to Lusaka.
