HAZEL NALI TO MISS THE WORLD CUP

The cruelty of life shows its ugly head, as the player, whose penalty kick qualified Zambia to the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup, will miss out on the tournament.

A press statement released by FAZ stated that Hazel Nali got injured in the period leading to the friendly match with Germany. The FAZ Secretary General stated that Nali sustained a left knee injury in the period preceding the July 7 international friendly match with Germany in Furth underwent a medical check-up in Germany and New Zealand which has ruled her out of the tournament.

“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),” says 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.”

Kamanga says the player will head back home where she is expected to undergo treatment and rehabilitation.

“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,” he says.

Zambia plays Japan on July 22 at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton with the second match coming up four days later in Auckland against Spain at Eden Park Stadium. The final group match is against Costa Rica on July 31 at Waikato Stadium.

The 2022 WAFCON bronze medallists have since settled in Hamilton which is their tournament base.

Source: FAZ