By Andrew Warshaw
Ocotber 16 – Zambian football has been plunged into a bizarre footballing dispute after three international players refused to travel with the national squad ahead of a 2-0 friendly defeat by Brazil in neutral China.
In an unusual club versus country row, Democratic Republic of Congo club TP Mazembe insisted Rainford Kalaba, Stoppila Sunzu and Nathan Sinkala had “malaria and digestive problems” but the Zambian FA demanded they travel just the same.
According to local media reports, the Zambian immigration authorities issued warrants for their arrests and took away their passports.
The players nevertheless reportedly managed to cross back into Congo and the Zambian FA has written to FIFA complaining that Mazembe did not release its players as they are required to do for international dates.
Zambia lost the match in Beijing thanks to goals from Oscar and Dede in the countries’ first ever meeting.
The 2012 African champions were playing their first game under 35-year-old interim coach Patrice Beaumelle, who took over eight days ago from Herve Renard.
Zambia failed to qualify for next year’s World Cup having been eliminated from qualifying at the group stage.
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