By Kalumiana Kalumiana
Chipolopolo coach Moses Sichone will also miss tomorrow’s friendly against Angola after he was hospitalised in South Africa with a case of food poisoning before Saturday’s friendly against hosts Bafana Bafana while striker Patson Daka has returned to his base at Leicester City.
Sichone’s illness saw him miss Chipolopolos’ 3-1 away loss to Bafana Bafana at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
His assistant Perry Mutapa stood in for him and is expected to be in charge for Tuesday’s final stop in Luanda against Angola.
FAZ spokesperson Nkweto Trmbwe said in a press statement that one player another member of the technical bench have also been admitted together with Sichone.
“Following the reported incidences of suspected food poisoning by some members of the Zambia Men’s National Team on Saturday in South Africa, the Football Association of Zambia wishes to confirm that coach Moses Sichone, midfielder Miguel Chaiwa and video analyst Elias Chipota have been admitted to St George Private Hospital in Port Elizabeth,” Tembwe stated.
Zambia were by press time in transit to Luanda for Tuesday’s friendly stop against Angola but will be without an additional five players due to administrative and technical reasons.
Three of the players released are returning to Zesco United ahead of the club’s 2025/2026 CAF Confederation Cup Group D away date against Zamalek in Egypt on November 23.
“The Zesco United players that have left are Kabaso Chongo, Gift Mphande, Pascal Phiri and David Simukonda. Additionally Leicester City forward Patson Daka will not be part of the second friendly match against Angola on request from the club with Israel-based Kennedy Musonda back to his base to tend to his wife who fell ill whilst the player was on national duty,” Tembwe added.
