Orlando Pirates winger Ghampani Lungu has had to withdraw from Zambia’s squad for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers this week and could miss the club’s Carling Knockout Cup semifinal against Stellenbosch next weekend.

Lungu has a right ankle strain, according to the Football Association of Zambia, that will take 14-21 days for him to recover from, putting his chances of playing in the cup tie in the Cape on the weekend of 20-21 November in jeopardy.

The 28-year-old Lungu only returned to the Zambia squad set up after his pre-season move from Siwelele to Orlando Pirates.

He made his international debut in 2019 but played last game for Zambia in 2024 before a call-up again, after more than two years in the international wilderness, in September at the start of the Cup of Nations qualifiers

Lungu came on as a substitute in the 3-1 away loss to Algeria and then the 2-0 home win over Togo which has Zambia on three points in Group I.

They are up against Burundi in Ndola on Friday and then again in Bujumbura next Tuesday.

Lungu has played as a right sided attacker for Pirates since his arrival at the club but also filled in at right back, where Kamogelo Sebelebele has been first choice but is now also injured.