DOUBLE BLOW

…Daka, Mwepu to miss World Cup qualifiers as EPL clubs agree to reject international call-ups

PATSON Daka and Enock Mwepu may miss the crucial 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup qualifiers scheduled for next month due to travel restrictions and quarantine rules.

The English Premier League announced on Tuesday that its clubs will not release players for international matches played in Covid-19 red-list countries next month.

The EPL stated in a statement that due to the quarantine rules, Premier League clubs would not release their players for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Patson Daka who features for EPL outfit Leicester City and midfield genius Enock Mwepu who is with Brighton and Hove Albion are among the most dependable Chipolopolo players who will be expected to lead the team during the back-to-back World Cup qualifiers against Mauritania and Tunisia.

"Premier League clubs have today reluctantly but unanimously decided not to release players for international matches played in red-list countries next month," the Premier League said. on Tuesday

"The clubs' decision, which is strongly supported by the Premier League, will apply to nearly 60 players from 19 Premier League clubs who are due to travel to 26 red-list countries in the September international window.

"This follows FIFA's current position not to extend its temporary release exception for players required to quarantine on their return from international duty."

The EPL fears that if required to quarantine on return from red-list countries, not only would players' welfare and fitness be significantly impacted, but they would also be unavailable to play in two Premier League match rounds, a UEFA club competition match day and the third round of the EFL Cup.

Most Southern African countries with Zambia inclusive are on the UK Government's red list, with "mandatory isolation of 10 days" for travellers returning from the affected countries.

However, the decision has not been received well by some stakeholders who have called on the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to engage CAF and FIFA to intervene.

Zambia Sports Fans Association patron Peter Makembo said the World Cup qualifiers are crucial games which require the participation of all the best performing players the country may have.

Zambia will play Mauritania on September 3 before hosting Tunisia five days later at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.