Though initially drafted into Zimbabwe’s Unity Cup squad, Divine Lunga has been withdrawn to prioritise Mamelodi Sundowns’ high-stakes CAF Champions League final second-leg against AS FAR this weekend.
Sundowns moved within an inch of ending their 10-year wait for a second CAF Champions League title on Sunday, beating AS FAR 1-0 in a contentious final first leg at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
Aubrey Modiba‘s free-kick gave Sundowns a narrow lead heading into the second leg in Rabat on Sunday – May 24. Lunga was on the bench in the first leg as Masandawana won at home.
However, he remains a key player at Masandawana and travelled to Morocco with the team due to his relentless effort to impact whenever he is thrown into the fray. As such, he will not make it in time for the Unity Cup in the United Kingdom, pitting Zimbabwe, Nigeria, India, and Jamaica.
DIVINE LUNGA MISSES UNITY CUP DUE TO CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE COMMITMENT
In an update released by ZIFA on Wednesday, three players, including Lunga, who were drafted into the initial squad, were ruled out for different reasons.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association [ZIFA] advises that the following players have been ruled out of the Warriors squad for the upcoming Unity Cup in London: Tinotenda Kadewere, Divine Lunga, and Bill Antonio,” ZIFA said.
As such, they were replaced by former Durban City FC target Washington Navaya, Finland-based midfielder Prosper Padera, and Chippa United defender Isheanesu Mauchi.
Meanwhile, PSL stars Junior Zindoga of TS Galaxy FC, Orlando Pirates FC’s Daniel Msendami, Elvis Chipezeze of Magesi FC, and Durban City FC’s Emmanuel Jalai are part of the team.
Zimbabwe will play Nigeria in the semi-finals of the international four-nation Unity Cup. The tournament is scheduled to take place at The Valley stadium in London, running from May 26 to May 30. The Warriors of Zimbabwe have already departed for the tournament, with interim coach Kaitano Tembo angling for success.
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