By 
Injured Copper Queens goalkeeper, Hazel Nali, who was ruled out of the FIFA Women’s World Cup with a knee injury will stay in New Zealand for the tournament.
Youth, Sport and Arts Minister, Elvis Nkandu, said government engaged with the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) and arrived at the decision.
Nkandu who announced the development via his official Facebook page
said his Ministry will, however, take full responsibility for the player’s stay now and during the tournament.
The Minister disclosed that FAZ has agreed to address Nali’s injury by exploring different options to find a solution.
“Regarding the player’s injury, we have asked the Football Association of Zambia to find where the player can undergo the treatment of her knee injury, and we are happy to report that FAZ had earlier engaged a medical institution that would treat the player in New Zealand and they were told that the player can only be treated in a couple of weeks ahead,” Nkandu said.
“Meanwhile, the Football Association of Zambia later informed us of an alternative which is India, and we agreed that the player be taken to the named country for her medical treatment, thereafter, she would be flying back to New Zealand where she will join the rest of the team.”
FAZ recently announced that Nali was ruled out of the FIFA Women’s World Cup due to injury.
The announcement caused controversy with some social media reports quoting Nali crying foul, alleging that her injury was not serious enough for her not to participate at Zambia’s maiden World Cup appearance, which starts in less than a week’s time on July 20.
The tournament will be co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia.
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