Mamelodi Sundowns defender Divine Lunga has withdrawn from the Zimbabwe national team’s Unity Cup assignment in the United Kingdom due to the 2025-206 Caf Champions League final assignment.
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The South African side will face AS FAR at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Sunday, 24 May 2026 in the second leg of the Champions League final.
Kickoff is at 8 pm local time (GMT+1).
WHY CARDOSA CAN'T AFFORD TO RELEASE LUNGA
Sundowns will carry over a 1-0 lead from the first leg played at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, last Sunday,17 May, where Lunga was involved.
Defender Aubrey Modiba's rocket of a free kick broke the resistance of the Moroccan opposition in the second half, but the Bafana Bafana defender eventually limped off. Lunga stepped in to replace Modiba.
It is in that context that the Betway Premiership holders' coach, Miguel Cardoso, cannot afford to release the Zimbabwean wingback for the Unity Cup semifinal assignment against the Super Eagles of Nigeria on May 26.
PLAYERS CALLED UP AS REPLACEMENTS
The Zimbabwe Football Association confirmed that Lunga has excused himself from the trip to the UK alongside recently recalled Greece-based striker Tinotenda Kadewere and Belgium-based winger Bill Antonio.
"The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) advises that the following players have been ruled out of the Warriors squad for the upcoming Unity Cup in London: Tinotenda Kadewere (injury), Divine Lunga (club commitment following Mamelodi Sundowns' qualification for the CAF Champions League final, Bill Antonio has been excused after requesting leave due to a personal commitment," reads the statement.
Zimbabwe interim coach Kaitano Tembo has since replaced the four players with reigning Zimbabwe Player of the Year Washington Navaya, Prosper Padera and Isheanesu Mauchi.