Double Injury Blow for Chipolopolo as Daka and Lungu Miss Burundi Clash
Zambia has suffered a major injury setback ahead of its back-to-back 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Burundi, with Patson Daka, Lameck Banda and Gamphani Lungu ruled out of both encounters.
The three players have been withdrawn from the Chipolopolo squad after sustaining injuries while on club duty, with their recovery periods expected to exceed seven days.
According to team doctor George Magwende, the injured trio have been replaced by Israel-based Edward Chilufya, Derrick Bulaya of Green Eagles and Prince Mumba, who plays for Al Garaf in Iraq.
Magwende confirmed that the respective clubs have been communicating with the Chipolopolo medical team regarding the players’ conditions.
“Patson Daka suffered a right ankle injury which he sustained during Hamburg SV 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,” he says.
“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.”
Daka’s absence comes after he picked up the ankle injury during Hamburg SV’s 3-1 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach on November 6. Lameck Banda is expected to be sidelined for at least two weeks, while Lungu faces a recovery period of between 14 and 21 days.
The latest withdrawals add to Zambia’s injury concerns, with Kingstone Mutandwa, Ackim Mumba and Jackson Phiri also previously ruled out of the assignments.
The Chipolopolo are scheduled to host Burundi at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Friday at 15:00 before travelling to Bujumbura for the return fixture four days later.
With several key players unavailable, the technical bench will be looking to the replacements to step up as Zambia continues its pursuit of qualification for the 2027 AFCON.
