The English based duo of Patson Daka and Enock Mwepu has been ruled out of the Mali friendlies due to medical reasons.
And South African based shot stopper Toaster Nsabata will not be part of the star clad Mali doubleheader due to an injury scare.
FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala says the rest of the squad members are in good shape and are ready for this evening’s encounter in Bamako.
Daka who plays for Leicester City in the English Premier league and Chipolopolo captain Mwepu who is on the books of Brighton & Hove Albion were part of the early arrivals in Mali ahead of the two high profile international friendlies.
The 2012 African Champions take on Mali this evening before another engagement on Monday which is part of preparations for the 2023 Ivory Coast Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The team is however without head coach Aljosa Asanovic who has been away for two months.
In Asanovic’s absence, assistant Coach Moses Sichone will lead the technical bench in preparing the team for the AFCON qualifiers.
By Cosmas Chongo Mulenga