Daka to miss AFCON qualifiers as he is ‘out for a few months’ 

Striker Patson Daka will be out of action for a ‘few months’, says Leicester City Manager Steve Cooper. 

The 25 year old underwent a successful ankle operation this week. 

The Zambian got injured in the Foxes’ pre-season match against Lens.

“Patson is not great,” said Cooper.

“He’s had an operation and will be out for a few months. 

“Vards has been injured since the second week of pre-season, he’s closer to returning but will be a little while.

Daka will also miss Zambia’s African Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast

Zambia will be away to Ivory Coast in Bouake and then host Sierra Leone in Ndola.  Kamanga was speaking in his Weekly Update, the President’s corner. 

The Chipolopolo will be hoping to get off to a good start in these qualifiers as they aim to make it back to back qualifications after missing three straight tournaments.

The two matches will be played in the window of September 2-10.

Match day 3 and 4 will be played between October 7-15 and will see Zambia face Chad in back to back games with N’djamena hosting the second match.

The November window will see the final two matches with Copper Bullets’ tie against the Elephants the one to look out for.

The final Group G fixture will be against the Leone Stars in Freetown.

The top two countries in each group will qualify for the 35th edition in Morocco.

The tournament will be held from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.