There was no UEFA Champions League joy for Zambian players starring for Redbull Salzburg as their side crashed out of Europe’s top tier competition in the playoffs at the Redbull Arena in Austria on Wednesday night.
Patson Daka was named in the starting line-up whilst his compatriot Enock Mwepu was on the bench as the team blew away a 2-0 lead at home to draw 2-2 with Crvena Zvezda of Serbia with the visitors sneaking into the pot on away goals rule.
Daka was withdrawn in the 69th minute with the two teams tied at 2-2 with a quick fire brace from Crvena Zvezda’s El Fardou Ben Nabouhane who scored in the 65th and 66th minute having revived the Serbian side’s UEFA Champions League dream.
It was sixth time agony for Redbull Salzburg who have lost in the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds in each of the last six seasons – and have made 12 unsuccessful attempts to reach the group stage since 1994.
Mwepu played no part in the match.
Salzburg will now drop to the UEFA Europa League with the draw set for Friday at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.
In South Africa, Chipolopolo call up Salulani Phiri played a full 90 minutes as they drew 1-all to Golden Arrows in the ABSA Premiership.
SuperSport United’s new signee Gamphani Lungu was a second half substitute as his side beat Chippa United 2-1 at home.
The foreign based players summoned for Chipolopolo duty are expected to start trickling in today as coach Sven Vandenbroek prepares his team for the September 8 Africa Cup of Nations Group K match against Namibia.
Vandenbroek has summoned 26 players for duty and will also lead his charges in Gabon on September 11 in an international friendly on a FIFA in Libreville.