Zambian midfielder Rainford Kalaba expressed his disappointment at missing his country's crucial clash against Uganda in the second leg of the final African Nations Cup qualifier, which will take place next weekend.

The 26-year-old will miss the game due to groin injury he sustained during TP Mazembe's 0-0 draw against Esperance in the first leg of the CAF champions league semis on Sunday.

Medical scans revealed that the player would be sidelined for at least one week, ruling him out of the Uganda game.

“I am very disappointed because it’s a crucial game for us. If we don’t qualify, people back home will not understand. I just pray that the guys get a positive result in Uganda. I believe in them and I know they will do wonders when they go there,” Kalaba was quoted as saying by Times Zambia.

The defending champions claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over Uganda in the first-leg in Lusaka last month.

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