Chipolopolo Boys could be without EPL Stars in World Cup qualifiers

The Zambia national team could be without influential midfielder Enock ‘Computer’ Mwepu and striker Patson Daka when they face Mauritania and Tunisia in back-to-back Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

This follows a report on BBC monitored by the ZamFoot Crew that Premier League clubs will not release players for international games in red-list countries.

“The Premier League says its clubs have “reluctantly but unanimously” decided not to release players for matches in red-list countries during September’s international break.

Under current UK government rules, players would be forced to miss several games because of the 10-day isolation period required on return to the UK.

The Premier League said it “strongly supported” the decision, which “will apply to nearly 60 players from 19 clubs who are due to travel to 26 red-list countries”.

Zambia is on the United Kingdom red list for the Coronavirus epidemic meaning Patson Daka and Enock Mwepu would have to undergo a mandatory ten-day quarantine period when/if they come for the World Cup qualifier against Tunisia.

Zambia will be away in Nouakchott on September 3 before hosting Tunisia four days later in Ndola in back-to-back Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The Chipolopolo are in Group B with Tunisia, Mauritania, and Equatorial Guinea.

Group winners will join nine other teams on the continent in the final qualifying round that will see teams paired in two-legged knockout ties.

The five winners will qualify for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.