Mamelodi Sundowns star left-back Divine Lunga and former Kaizer Chiefs gunslinger Knowledge Musona missed Zimbabwe’s first match at the 2025 AFCON against Egypt, and the reason behind their conspicuous absence has been revealed.
Lunga and Musona were the most notable absentees from the starting line-up as Zimbabwe narrowy lost 2-1 to Egypt in their Group B opener at the Stade Adrar in Agadir.
Zimbabwe are already missing the services of vice-captain Marshall Munetsi, whose unavailability at the tournament has been a major talking point. Midfielder Andy Rinomhota also pulled out of The Warriors’ camp, citing an urgent family matter.
It has emerged that Sundowns’ Lunga and Musona are nursing undisclosed injuries they suffered during training. Lunga is said to have suffered a slight knock, but coach Marian Marinica couldn’t risk playing him for fear of aggravating the injury.
LUNGA AND MUSONA NURSING INJURIES BUT CLEARED FOR CRITICAL ANGOLA AND BAFANA BAFANA CLASHES
However, the duo is expected to be available for selection when The Warriors take on the Palancas Negras of Angola on Friday at Grand Stade de Marrakech. They will face Bafana Bafana in their final group match on Monday, 29 December, at the same venue.
Meanwhile, Young Africans striker Prince Dube scored Zimbabwe’s goal in the first half, while Manchester City FC’s Omar Marmoush and Mohamed Salah of Liverpool FC powered Egypt to victory with two second-half goals.
Without Lunga, the Warriors deployed FC Cincinnati’s Teenage Hadebe, who normally plays as a left-sided centre-back, as the left-back. In the first minutes of the game, the former Chiefs defender was jittery and could have cost The Warriors on at least three occasions.
But, he stabilised and, for the better part of the game, managed to keep Liverpool star Salah under check. Salah was restricted to two shots on target, one of which emerged as Egypt’s 90th-minute winning goal. Plausibly, Marumo Gallants winger Daniel Msendami gave a good account of himself in the match.
RELATED STORY:Divine Lunga’s bond with ex-Chiefs star shines in the US