Zambia have suffered a setback ahead of their upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Burundi after striker Patson Daka withdrew from the squad with an ankle injury.
The Hamburger SV forward will remain in Germany during the international break to receive treatment after picking up the problem during his club’s 3-1 Bundesliga victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach on November 6.
Daka had only recently returned from a thigh injury that had kept him out of action for several weeks.
The 28-year-old made his comeback as a substitute in Hamburg’s 3-1 DFB-Pokal defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt on October 27 before completing 90 minutes against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
However, the latest ankle problem has forced him to miss Zambia’s two meetings with Burundi, with the Chipolopolo medical team confirming that his recovery period would extend beyond seven days.
Zambia team doctor George Magwende disclosed that an ultrasound examination revealed a mild strain in Daka’s right ankle, with an estimated recovery period of seven to 10 days.
The striker’s absence will be a blow to coach George Lwandamina, who will have to manage without one of his most experienced attacking options for the two qualifiers.
According to reports in Germany, there is optimism that Daka could recover in time for Hamburg’s next Bundesliga assignment against Werder Bremen on November 22.
Hamburg will therefore hope the forward makes a quick recovery as they prepare for the Nordderby, while Zambia turn their attention to the challenge of securing positive results against Burundi.
Daka has been replaced in the Chipolopolo squad by Edward Chilufya.
