Why Chipolopolo’s Daka and Mwepu will miss Mali friendlies |

Chipolopolo Zambia’s numbers in Bamako have dwindled as Patson Daka, and Enock Mwepu join the list of players ruled out of this weekend’s two friendlies against hosts Mali.

Daka of Leicester City and Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Mwepu joined the Chipolopolo camp in Bamako on Tuesday from England for the doubleheader dates against Mali on September 23 and 26.

“It is with a deep sense of sadness that we announced the absence of Chipolopolo captain Enock Mwepu and Patson Daka for the two FIFA international friendly matches against Mali in Bamako,” FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala said in a statement on Friday.

Kashala said the England-based duo has been ruled out due to medical reasons but gave no further details.

“We wish the afflicted players a quick recovery, and we thank them for having swiftly responded to national duty,” added Kashala.

 Also out is Chipolopolo first-choice goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata of South African PSL club Sekhukhune United who has been out for over a fortnight with a knee injury.

But Nsabata has not been ruled out entirely and will sit out Friday night’s first game.

Chipolopolo assistant coach Moses Sichone is keeping his fingers crossed that Nsabata will be fit for the last match on Monday.

Sichone is standing in for the two friendlies because of his boss Aljosa Asanovic’s absence due to an administrative row between the Croatian-born coach and FAZ.

Meanwhile, Daka and Mwepu’s departure brings to six withdrawals from the September friendly dates.

Others are midfielders Lameck Banda of Italian Serie A side Lecce and Lubambo Musonda from Danish club Horsens, including Amazulu’s Rally Bwalya. The trio will miss the friendlies due to injury.

Simba SC playmaker Clatous Chama asked to be excused from the tour to attend to a family matter.

Their absence sees Zambia with just 10 foreign-based call-ups in camp that Glasgow Rangers striker Fashion Sakala now headlines.

Striker Evans Kangwa of Russian club Arsenal Tula will now captain Zambia in Mali.