Zambia striker Jacob Mulenga of FC Utrecht in the Netherlands has disclosed that he is sad that injury will see him miss a chance of playing against Comoros this weekend in Chipolopolo's 2012 Orange African Cup of Nations Group C qualifier. Zambia host Comoros at Nkoloma stadium in Lusaka on September 4 in the two teams first ever clash at senior level.
Mulenga told Cafonline.com from his base in The Netherlands that he will not be available for the game after suffering a hamstring injury on August 19 in a UEFA Europa League playoff match against Celtic Glasgow, which the latter won 2-0. “I have a hamstring and out for three weeks, I have two weeks left ," Mulenga said, who scored two goals for Zambia at the Orange CAN 2010 finals in Angola last January.
Mulenga said he was very disappointed that he was not going to be available for the team but will follow the game closely from his base. “I was really hoping that I could play," the 26-year-old striker said. Mulenga said it was key that Zambia got their a quest to qualify for the Africa Cup finals to be jointly hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea in two years time off to a flying start.
He added that it was also important for the players who will make the team to give their all in what will be Zambia’s Italian-born new coach Dario Bonetti first competitive game in charge and second international after a 1-1 friendly result against Uganda on August 11 in Kampala.
“It is very important for Zambia to win,” Mulenga said.
Mulenga said he knew very little about The Comoros from both junior and senior level but it was also important for the team not to underestimate the Indian Ocean island team despite having little knowledge about their prowess.
"I have never played against the Comoros so I know nothing about them. Even though I know nothing about them, I respect them as a team. This is football and you always have to respect your opponents.”
Meanwhile, Mulenga said that overall it was imperative that Zambia under Bonetti continue with the pace of progress that the team conjured at the last edition in Angola, where they reached the quarterfinals.
Zambia this year reach the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup for the first time since 1996 that was subsequently followed by a 14-year gap of disappointment until they ended the dry spell under former coach Herve Renard who is now Angolan trainer.
“Zambia should put up a great display of football just to show our fellow Zambians how much great progress Zambian football has made,” Mulenga said.
Mulenga, who was named in Bonetti's 20-member team for the Africa Cup Group C qualifier against Comoros, has not been replaced yet.
Bonetti still has striking options led by Captain Christopher Katongo of Xanthi in Greece who is expected to skipper the team in their first competitive outing since their good showing in Angola.
Mulenga's absence will see Bonetti turn to six other forwards all based abroad with youngsters Emmanuel Mayuka and Fwayo Tembo from Swiss clubs Young Boys and FC Basel both also available.
Zambia moved to camp on August 30 for the crucial Group C opener against the Islanders.
Mulenga told Cafonline.com from his base in The Netherlands that he will not be available for the game after suffering a hamstring injury on August 19 in a UEFA Europa League playoff match against Celtic Glasgow, which the latter won 2-0. “I have a hamstring and out for three weeks, I have two weeks left ," Mulenga said, who scored two goals for Zambia at the Orange CAN 2010 finals in Angola last January.
Mulenga said he was very disappointed that he was not going to be available for the team but will follow the game closely from his base. “I was really hoping that I could play," the 26-year-old striker said. Mulenga said it was key that Zambia got their a quest to qualify for the Africa Cup finals to be jointly hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea in two years time off to a flying start.
He added that it was also important for the players who will make the team to give their all in what will be Zambia’s Italian-born new coach Dario Bonetti first competitive game in charge and second international after a 1-1 friendly result against Uganda on August 11 in Kampala.
“It is very important for Zambia to win,” Mulenga said.
Mulenga said he knew very little about The Comoros from both junior and senior level but it was also important for the team not to underestimate the Indian Ocean island team despite having little knowledge about their prowess.
"I have never played against the Comoros so I know nothing about them. Even though I know nothing about them, I respect them as a team. This is football and you always have to respect your opponents.”
Meanwhile, Mulenga said that overall it was imperative that Zambia under Bonetti continue with the pace of progress that the team conjured at the last edition in Angola, where they reached the quarterfinals.
Zambia this year reach the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup for the first time since 1996 that was subsequently followed by a 14-year gap of disappointment until they ended the dry spell under former coach Herve Renard who is now Angolan trainer.
“Zambia should put up a great display of football just to show our fellow Zambians how much great progress Zambian football has made,” Mulenga said.
Mulenga, who was named in Bonetti's 20-member team for the Africa Cup Group C qualifier against Comoros, has not been replaced yet.
Bonetti still has striking options led by Captain Christopher Katongo of Xanthi in Greece who is expected to skipper the team in their first competitive outing since their good showing in Angola.
Mulenga's absence will see Bonetti turn to six other forwards all based abroad with youngsters Emmanuel Mayuka and Fwayo Tembo from Swiss clubs Young Boys and FC Basel both also available.
Zambia moved to camp on August 30 for the crucial Group C opener against the Islanders.
Group C comprises of Zambia, Comoros, Libya and Mozambique with the latter facing the North Africa side in match day one whom they will host in Maputo on September 4.
Thereafter Group C will take a breather until March 2011 during the weekend of the 25-27 with Zambia again on the road this time in Maputo to face Mozambique while Comoros take the long trip to Tripoli to play Libya.
Thereafter Group C will take a breather until March 2011 during the weekend of the 25-27 with Zambia again on the road this time in Maputo to face Mozambique while Comoros take the long trip to Tripoli to play Libya.
**Published in Cafonline
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