Skipper Rainford Kalaba has been ruled out of Zambia’s World Cup 2018 return leg qualifying match against Sudan slated for Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Sunday 15th November 2015.

Kalaba has been influential in many of Zambia’s matches in recent past. And now the question is, “Can the Chipolopolo cope without him?”

Kalaba picked up a knock in the hard earned 1-0 victory in the first leg played in Sudan, probably due to the pitch conditions.

Coach George Lwandamina must be scratching his head over Kalaba but going by the young talent available, the TP Mazembe man wouldn’t be so much of a miss.

Of course the coach will want Kalaba to be available for selection in every match but he has to work with players availpable to him. One potential replacement for Kalaba in that role is Green Eagles midfielder Spencer Sautu.

The young midfielder has impressed since he was drafted in the National team and his superb strike against Mozambique helped Zambia qualify for the Chan 2016 tournament to be hosted by Rwanda.

With one goal already to his name, Sautu might be hoping to cement his position in the Senior Team proper and give Kalaba some stiff competition.

Kelvin Trudeau Musako

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