FOOTBALL House has clarified the exclusion of Scotland based striker Fashion Sakala from Zambia’s upcoming World Cup Qualifier matches against Mauritania and Tunisia.
On Monday, Chipolopolo interim coach Beston Chambeshi named a 22 – man list ahead of the two all important matches with Sakala being a notable exclusion.
With fans and some analysts having raised some concern, Football Association of Zambia FAZ communications manager Sydney Mungala has said Sakala’s exclusion has to do with his fitness.
“[There is] a lot of talk obviously about the absence of Fashion Sakala who plays for Glasgow Rangers in Scotland which is very understandable. He has just returned from injury and we have been liaising with the club throughout the period of recovery,” Mungala said, “We would have loved to have him but unfortunately in the interest of the player and also the team, he will be given more time to recover from his injury.”
Mungala said the national team technical bench hopes the player will recover in good time to be up for selection for upcoming matches.
Sakala is among the three most prized assets in the national team at the moment alongside the England based pair of Enock Mwepu and Patson Daka.
The former Zanaco striker has grown through the ranks since being part of the under – 20 Africa Cup winning side to being among the most sought after young talent in Europe.
On the availability of Mwepu and Daka for the Tunisia game, Mungala said consultations are still being held to see if the players can make it to Zambia for the home game.
Earlier this month, English Premier League clubs resolved not to allow players to travel for national team engagements that will be played in countries that have been listed on the red – list as high risk areas for COVID – 19.
However, World Football governing body FIFA wrote to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson asking for an exemption.
“We are still waiting for feedback from the Premier League after FIFA engaged the authorities in England over the possible exemptions of players once they go back to England.
“We hope that in due course this matter will be resolved, for now we have to remain focused on Mauritania because that is the immediate fixture that we have and these players have come for this particular assignment,” he said.
