Injury Knocks Zambia U-23 Star Out of AFCON

The Zambia Under-23 National Team has suffered a setback with Belgium based forward Fashion Sakala knocked out of the tournament due to injury.

Team Doctor Mwila Lupasha said Sakala sustained a knee injury in Zambia’s 3-1 loss to Nigeria after colliding with teammate Patson Daka.
Lupasha said he had assessed Sakala and recommended that he could not continue with the tournament.

“Fashion (Sakala) sustained a knee injury during the Nigeria game. He will not be able to continue with the tournament as needs to undergo further examination,” he said.
Meanwhile Sakala said he was disappointed that he could not continue with the tournament after having arrived with hopes of helping the team qualify to the semi-finals.

“I was not expecting this, but this is life, sometimes God’s plans is not our plan. I came with very good confidence that maybe I will help the team qualify to the next round but I did not make it,” he said.

“I hope and pray to God that the team qualifies to the next round. I did not expect what happened, you know how it was for me and Patson (Daka).”

The K.V Oostende striker has wished his teammates the good luck in their must win encounter against Ivory Coast tomorrow (Friday).

Sakala and Daka collided in the second minute of the 3-1 loss to Nigeria leaving the latter playing the rest of the match with a headband.

“I am wishing the team all the best, I know this is a good team with quality players, I know they can do it together,” Sakala said.

“I believe that the team is ready to fight back, they will fight for the country. There is 95% of us qualifying to the semi-finals.”
Zambia plays Ivory Coast tomorrow (Friday) in a must win game at the Cairo International Stadium.

By Olamide Oyetunji