Injury forces Mbesuma out of Ghana vs Zambia 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier

29/08/2013

STRIKER Collins Mbesuma will miss Zambia’s crucial 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil against Ghana next Friday in Kumasi.
The burly Zambian, who plays for Orlando Pirates in South Africa, is expected to be out of action for six to nine weeks, and during his layoff, the club is trying to ensure he sheds off some weight.
Mbesuma, who is named in the Zambia squad for the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Ghana, is reportedly nursing an injury which would keep him away between six to nine weeks.
But head of the Chipolopolo team medics Joseph Kabungo said he would have a word with the player when Zambia sets up camp in Johannesburg today.
“I do not have any injury updates on the team yet but I will talk to Collins as soon as we in Johannesburg tomorrow (today),” Kabungo said.
The Chipolopolo are scheduled to begin camp in Johannesburg today ahead of next Friday’s crunch match against Ghana.
The Zambia forward was stretched off the pitch during Pirates MTN8 quarter-final clash with SuperSport United on August 11 with a suspected twisted ankle. It was later said that the injury was not serious.
Since then, Mbesuma has not been a part of the Pirates squad for, either local or international matches, and will miss the CAF Champions’ League group stage clash against Zamalek in Egypt on Sunday.
The times.co.za reported that while Mbesuma is out of action, the club has developed a plan to help him shed some weight of which he has already lost 2kgs.
Pirates assistant coach Tebogo Moloi was quoted as having said the club’s bio-kineticist, Mandy-Lee Solomon, has been asked to recruit a dietician to help Mbesuma.
Moloi said: “The report we received from the medical team is that Collins is doing very well.
“He has been doing some gym work and has already shed two kg. The incredible performance of the team makes him want to come back and contribute to our success.
“He is a highly experienced striker and having him back in the team is just what we need right now. We have been supporting him all the way, like we do with [all] our players.”