Soccer-Angola vs Zambia match postponed
LUANDA, May 2 (Reuters) - The late arrival of Zambia's team
because of flight delays has caused the postponement of
Saturday's Cosafa Castle Cup match against Angola in Luanda.
The southern African championship match will now be played
on Sunday to give Zambia time to rest after a two-day journey
from Lusaka.
The team spent Friday night in neighbouring Namibia after
their chartered aeroplane was unable to refuel on a stop in
Rundu, northern Namibia, tournament officials said. They were
due to arrive in Luanda on Saturday afternoon.
Cosafa officials moved quickly on Saturday to quash any
concern over the safety of the Zambian delegation, made up of 18
players and seven officials.
"The delay was precautionary and there was not any danger
to the players' lives," said the southern African football
confederation's secretary-general, Ashford Mamelodi.
Angola were hit with problems of their own on the eve of the
match, which is the second game in this year's league-format
competition.
Injury has ruled out Portuguese-based striker Quinzinho, and
German club Schalke 0 4 has refused to release striker Miguel
Perpira for the match.
REUTERS
|