UNDER-23 striking duo of Patson Daka and Patrick Ngoma will miss the CAF African Championship first leg qualifier against Ivory Coast.
And Under-23 coach Fighton Simukonda has vowed to turn tables with his West African opposition in favour of Zambia.
Coach Fighton Simukonda released Daka and Ngoma who are in France attending trials at French Ligue 1 side Lille coached by former Chipolopolo and 2012 Africa Cup winning coach Herve Renard.
Simukonda said the two players would not be part of the match on July 19 as he wanted to give them time to clinch deals in France.
“They are part of us but I don’t think they will play in the first leg, they will join us for the second leg,” said Simukonda.
The coach replaced the pair with Red Arrows midfielder Bruce Musakanya and UK-based Noble Ramsey.
The coach also made two inclusions to the team summoning Napsa Stars’ Angel Kalunga and UK-based Mwila Mutale for assessment.
“We called Angel and Mwila just to have a look at them. We want to see if they can be included if they prove themselves,” he said.
The team started their training yesterday with only 16 players out of the 28 summoned while Kayawe Kapota was allowed to attend to personal issues after losing an uncle in Kasama.
Power Dynamos and Zesco United players were expected in camp last evening as they were involved in a Super League rescheduled match yesterday.
Meanwhile, Simukonda says he is determined to end West African dominance against Zambia.
He said he was aware of the pressure that comes with playing against West Africans but time had come to end it.
“I know everyone is saying West Africans give us problems but we have to turn the tables. It is good that we are starting away because we know that West Africans behave badly when they are at home,” said Simukonda.