Zambia coach Herve Renard has confirmed that that Jacob Mulenga’s recovery from knee surgery will prevent him from taking part in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), dashing previous hopes that the Utrecht player could maybe return to full fitness just in time for the tournament.
Mulenga sustained his injury while representing playing for his club side in Holland back in October. He underwent surgery to repair the damage but his recovery period is now expected to take longer than initially expected. According to Reuters, Sudan-based striker Jonas Sakuhawa has been recalled to take his place in the Chipolopolo squad.
Zambia have already gotten their 2012 Afcon preparations underway. The southern Africans are camped in Johannesburg and are set to face Bafana Bafana in a friendly on January 11. Renard’s team have been drawn in a Group A alongside co-hosts Equatorial Guinea, Senegal, and Libya.