Arrest warrants issued for three Zambian footballers

A Zambian footballer controls the ball during yesterdays match against Brazil

The Zambian Football Association has called for the arrest of three of their players who failed to join the team in China for the match versus Brazil which ended in a 2-0 victory for the World Cup hosts. BBC Sport reports.

The players in question are Rainford Kalaba, Stoppila Sunzu and Nathan Sinkala who represent TP Mazembe. The DR Congo based club claimed that their players had suffered injuries which lead to a controversy with the Zambian FA. The issue became so intense that the Zambian government had also got involved.

The Zambian FA stated that the players should still join the rest of the team in China but their club blocked the move.

The players passports we’re confiscated by the Zambian government so that they would be grounded in their country.

In spite of that the players succeeded in jumping borders in order to get back to their club.

The Zambian team traveled to Beijing to play a match against Brazil for the first time in history but we’re overcome by their opponents, thanks to goals from Oscar and Dede.

Zambia, who won the 2012 Africa Cup, are currently coached by Patrice Beaumelle after their regular coach Herve Renard quit his post.

Zambia will not travel to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup after they declined to perform well in the qualifying rounds.