Daka And Mwepu To Miss Chipolopolo World Cup Qualifier

Patson Daka and Enoch Mwepu are due to miss the Chipolopolo World Cup Qualifier match against Tunisia.

The duo, who play for Leicester and Brighton and Hove respectively, were due to fly back to Zambia to represent their country at the international event. However, as both players currently reside in the United Kingdom to play for local teams, the FA and the UK government decided that the players would not be released for international duty in ‘red list’ countries.

“Premier League clubs have today reluctantly but unanimously decided not to release players for international matches in red-listed countries next month,” a statement by the Premier League said.

Currently Zambia is on the UK’s red list due to the rate of COVID-19. As a result, the players would have to do 10 days quarantine on their arrival back in England, meaning that they would miss out on at least two Premier League matches.

The decision “follows FIFA’s current position not to extend its temporary release exception for players required to quarantine on their return from international duty,” the statement read.

It is yet to be clarified whether both players will be allowed to travel to Mauritania, currently not on the UK’s red list, for the match on September 3rd.

Photo: Lusaka Times