Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Ziyo Tembo © Backpage Pix
Zanaco FC skipper Ziyo Tembo has been ruled out of his side’s crunch CAF Champions League Group D clash against Al Ahly (Egypt) after accumulating two yellow cards in this year’s Caf Champions League.
Tembo was first cautioned in the preliminary round, first leg match at home to APR for unsporting behaviour, while his second yellow card was given to him on match day four for a challenge on Jean Joseph Koumbous of Coton Sport.
The development was confirmed to supersport.com on Tuesday by Zanaco head coach Mumamba Numba.
“Ziyo was shown a yellow card in the preliminary round. He was also shown another one against Coton Sport. That rules him out according to CAF rules. However, we are still waiting for official communication from CAF to confirm the suspension,” said Numba.
Tembo becomes Zanaco’s third player to be suspended in this year’s Caf Champions League after Rachar Kola and Augustine Mulenga who served one-match bans apiece earlier in the campaign.
In his absence, his place in defence will be taken by either Peter Jacob Banda, who partnered George Chilufya in the 2-0 win over Kabwe Warriors on Sunday, or Andrew Kwiliko, who was a second-half substitute on match day one against Al Ahly.
Other Zanaco players who are a caution away from suspension are Kwame Attram, Saith Sakala and Felix Nyaende.
A win for Zanaco, who lead the group with 10 points, will secure a quarterfinal berth at the expense of their fancied Egyptian opponents, who are in second position with seven points and Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco in third with six points.