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The COSAFA nation will miss one of their key players, who has been ruled out of the competition.
Zambia's national women's football team has suffered a major blow ahead of their participation in the 2023 FIFA World Cup finals in July.
First-choice goalkeeper Hazel Nali has been ruled out of the global bonanza due to an injury, according to the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ).
"FAZ wishes to inform its members and stakeholders that the Zambia women's national team first-choice goalkeeper Hazel Nali’s FIFA World Cup journey has come to an end due to injury," the FA said in a statement.
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14:33 - 12.07.2023
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According to the FA's secretary general, the goalkeeper injured her left knee, underwent medical checkups in Germany and New Zealand, and has now been ruled out.
"A preliminary examination was done in Germany, which led to the player missing the friendly match, with an MRI done in New Zealand ruling out the player for the rest of the tournament. Our medics, in liaison with the FIFA medical committee, have informed us that Nali suffered laxity in the medial collateral ligament and a complete tear of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)," said Kamanga.
"The ACL is pivotal in the support system of the knee, and the medics have recommended that it will take a minimum of six months to repair it so that she slowly returns to training depending on how she heals."
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13:51 - 11.07.2023
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"In the meantime, the player will be leaving camp for treatment and rehabilitation back home. The technical bench has since advised on the replacement in the goalkeeping department."
Nali has been an integral player for the Copper Queens and played key roles when they finished third in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations last edition that was held in Morocco.
As they make their World Cup debut, Shepolopolo will face Japan on July 22 at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton before their second match against Spain, that will come four days later. Their final group match against Costa Rica is scheduled for July 31.
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