Zambia star ruled out of World Cup
Zambia's first choice goalkeeper Hazel Nali has been ruled out of the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup due to injury, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) revealed in a statement on Wednesday.
Nali suffered a knee injury preceding the July 7 international friendly match with Germany and underwent a medical check-up in Germany and New Zealand which ruled her out of the tournament.
“A preliminary examination was done in Germany which led to the player missing the friendly match. 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)," FAZ General Secretary Reuben Kamanga said.
“The ACL is pivotal in the support system of the knee. 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 home where she is expected to undergo treatment and rehabilitation.
“In the meantime, the player will leave 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. The second match is 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.
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