The Football Association of Zambia has officially complained to FIFA and CAF over the failure by Chinese Women’s Super League side Beijing to release Copper Queens striker Fridah Mukoma for the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Mukoma was among the 26 players summoned by Zambia coach Nora Häuptle for WAFCON and was expected to join camp by 20th July. Speaking ahead of Zambia’s decisive Group C match against Malawi on Wednesday night, Häuptle confirmed the matter has been escalated.
She is one of our top players and she is not getting released by her club,” Häuptle said. “We have escalated this matter to CAF and now to FIFA. We expect action from CAF and FIFA because clubs must respect the release of players to national teams,” she said.
“I mean national teams have authority over players. I expect punishment from her team in Beijing. This is a clear issue,” Häuptle added.
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The non-release has deprived the Copper Queens of a key attacking option as they fight to advance to the quarterfinals. Zambia must beat Malawi on Wednesday night to progress from Group C. FIFA regulations compel clubs to release players for official national team duty during international windows, with sanctions possible for non-compliance.
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