Following the announcing of Zambia’s squad for the upcoming Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, a number of concerned fans wondered why fit-again Fashion Sakala’s name was missing from the final list of players summoned.
Speaking on a radio programme aired by Capital FM, FAZ president Andrew Kamanga explained the reasons behind Fashion Sakala’s omission.
“When we sent the request for his release, the club [Rangers] released Fashion but he decided that he wasn’t fit enough and he has asked to be excused because he believes he cannot contribute at 100 percent because he is still recovering from an injury,” Kamanga said.
“We have enough firepower; the team is ready and prepared adequately,” he said.
Kamanga also took time to lift the lid on the issue surrounding English premiership duo of Patson Daka and Enock Mwepu’s availability for next week Tueday’s clash against Tunisia owing to Covid-19 restrictions.
“We hope that FIFA will be able to resolve the Covid-19 [red-list]issues so that we have our players from England to come and play at home [against Tunisia on Tuesday],” Kamanga said.
Without a doubt, Fashion Sakala’s enterprise and work rate on the left wing will be missed. However, it is in times like this that the depth and character of Beston Chambeshi’s squad will be tested.
Thanks for clarifying the omission Mr President. But call Emmanuel Banda to help the team on the left especially against Tunisia where we might miss Enock and Patson.
Did he explain why it took so long to announce the team? Also, can he explain why Emmanuel Banda who is regular at this club and Stophira Sunzu are being overlooked? Also why not have alternative players on standby in case Daka and Mwepu cannot play against Tunisia?
I do have to thank the FAZ admin for putting the team in Morocco to prep for this match though. That was done very well and I hope the planning continues to follow the same protocol
Is that the only thing Kamanga was interviewed for ?
Faz has no money bring in all foreign based players. I remember one of the coaches applying a silly defensive mechanism saying we do not call professionals to sit on bench. The level of competition is very low. Who can compete with mwepu and daka. The omission of emmanuel banda is highly questionable. I am sure its personal. I wonder Zambia qualifying to the world cup without the best goalkeer on the region. Lets wait and see.