Macha out, replaced by Kola

Mon, 03 Oct 2016 14:50:34 +0000

Striker Rodger Kola has received a last minute call-up to replace Kaizer Chiefs forward Lewis Macha who has withdrawn from the team due to an injury.

Kola returns to the Zambia fold for the first time since March 2014 when he played for Zambia in a 2-1 friendly win over Uganda at home in Ndola.

The striker from Israeli club Hapoel Ra’anana joined the team in Ndola on Monday, ahead of Sunday’s opening 2018 World Cup group B qualifier against Nigeria at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.

Macha has withdrawn from the team due to an injury, he sustained on Zambia duty in September prior to the team’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group E qualifying match against Kenya in Ndola.

Meanwhile, seven out of the nine foreign-based call-ups have reported for the training camp in Ndola.

They include the South Africa PSL duo of Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene and Highlands Park striker Collins Mbesuma.

Striker Winston Kalengo of AC Leopards in Congo-Brazzaville was part of Monday training together with defender Kabaso Chongo, as well as midfielders Rainford Kalaba and Nathan Sinkala, all of DR Congo club TP Mazembe.

Zambia coach Wedson Nyirenda now awaits midfielder Chisamba Lungu of FC Ural in Russia and Lille defender Stopilla Sunzu, who are expected on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.