Zambia skipper Stopilla Sunzu has been sidelined from the last two qualifiers for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Chipolopolo defender, who plays for French Ligue 2 club Sochaux, sustained a hamstring injury during a league home win over Ajaccio on Friday.

“We are not against the club for what they have done for him. We commend them for that. But Stopilla is not only a Sochaux player, he is also a Zambian national team player, and we all have his best interests at heart," Zambia national team doctor Joseph Kabungo was quoted as saying on SuperSport Thursday.

Kabungo demanded that the defender fly to Lusaka for his medical team there to give a second opinion.

“All we are saying is that it is not correct to hold on to the player and just reply by phone or email. I think this is not the correct procedure to handle a player's welfare, especially in times of injuries like this," Kabungo said.

“If for sure he is not okay to play, no one will force him to play the weekend game,” he added.

Nkana defender Christopher Munthali is expected to pair Nyambe Mulenga of Zesco United in central defence.

Coach Honour Janza needs to win away in Mozambique Friday, and home against Cape Verde Wednesday, to book Zambia's place in the finals, as they are currently second in Group F with five points, four behind leaders Cape Verde.

The tournament is scheduled for January, though no hosting location has been announced after Morocco withdrew from the event amid fears of the spread of Ebola.

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