…Injured Kapumbu out as Zambia date Uganda today
By MICHAEL MIYOBA
CHIPOLOPOLO defence kingpin Stoppila Sunzu will be available for todays clash with Uganda at Al-Hamriya Sports Club Stadium after recovering from an injury picked during the 1-0 defeat to Egypt in the first international friendly match played on October 12 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
However, midfielder Kelvin Kapumbu will miss the Uganda clash because he is still nursing the hamstring injury sustained in the match against Egypt.
Sunzu who was excellent against Egypt had suffered a mild concussion which caused some blunt trauma to his head.
The 2012 AFCON winner was taken to hospital after he complained to having a headache as well as pain around his right eye and a sensation of grogginess.
After some light training, Sunzu will be available for selection for the game against Uganda confirmed national team Doctor, Wesley Ngongo.
“As we speak based on the response we have gotten from him (Sunzu) and what we have observed in training, he is scheduled to being available for the match against Uganda. Kapumbu on the other hand, it’s a strain of a hamstring muscle and this one requires a bit more time so he is still on rest at present,” Ngongo said.
With Sunzu being eligible to feature, coach Avram Grant is expected to make changes to his squad which will be seeking redemption after the unfortunate 1-0 defeat to Egypt.
“It is a friendly game. We always want to win every game but this is not the main target, the main target is to try things and improve on the good things we did before and see the shape of the players because next month we have world cup qualifiers,” Grant said.
Meanwhile Chipolopolo captain Lubambo Musonda said the team is in high spirit to perform better against Uganda after the defeat to Egypt.
“We have managed to work on our mistakes, we are learning every time and whatever we did wrong in the last match I’m sure there will be a change, we worked on it in training and we are looking forward to do that,” Musonda said.
“Every game is important especially now when we are preparing for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers and the AFCON in January. I think they will help the team shape up and prepare adequately,” Musonda added.
The Chipolopolo boys will be seeking revenge for the 2-0 defeat suffered the last time they played Uganda in an international friendly match played on January 4, 2021.
The two sides have met eight times in all competitions since 2010 with Zambia having four wins three defeats and one stalemate.
