Zambia call up Austria-based Daka, Mwepu for Zimbabwe clash

Zambia have called up Patson Daka and Enock Mwepu as reinforcements ahead of Tuesday’s Afcon Group H qualifier against Zimbabwe at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.

The duo from Austrian champions RB Salzburg will provide the Zambian team with a lift following a 5-0 away loss to African champions Algeria in Blida four days ago.

The humbling result left Zambia at the bottom of Group H and, at this rate, could face a third successive Afcon qualification failure.

Zambian coach Aggrey Chiyangi has resisted making another late call-up for veteran goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene from South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns. His first-choice goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata had a forgettable night in Blida last Thursday.

Zimbabwe head to Lusaka in better condition than their hosts with a point after a goalless draw in Harare against Botswana in their most recent outing.

Zimbabwe coach Joey Antipas remains wary of their trans-Zambezi rivals. “We now play a wounded Zambia team and will be a mammoth task for us,” Antipas told CAFonline.

“We just have to keep our heads up and work harder to get a positive result.”

In partnership with ANA and Sports Leo