Zambia coach Sichone, Chipota discharged from South Africa hospital

Zambia national team head coach Moses Sichone, and video Analyst Elias Chipota have finally been discharged from a South Africa hospital where they were admitted for suspected food poisoning.

The Chipolopolo’s coaching panel members and some players were taken ill hours before the friendly against Bafana Bafana at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, due to suspected food poisoning.

Consequently, coach Moses Sichone and video analyst Elias Chipota missed the match in Port Elizabeth, while midfielder Miguel Chaiwa appears to have fallen ill after the game. Eventually, Chipolopolo slumped to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Hugo Broos’ men during the AFCON preparatory game.

Sichone, Chaiwa and Chipota were admitted to St George Private Hospital in the South African coastal city, while some members of the delegation were allowed to leave for Angola.

Sichone returns to Zambia after suspected food poisoning

“The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) is pleased to announce that Chipolopolo Coach Moses Sichone and Video Analyst Elias Chipota have been discharged from St George Private Hospital in Port Elizabeth where they were admitted for suspected food poisoning,” read a statement from FAZ Media.

“FAZ General Secretary Machacha Shepande said the duo were discharged and are expected to fly back home on Wednesday. Shepande further said Team Doctor Wesley Ngongo who was with the patients throughout their hospitalisation had confirmed their discharge.

The discharge of the duo comes 24 hours after another casualty in midfielder Miguel Chaiwa was discharged from the same facility.

“We are happy to announce that Chipolopolo head coach Moses Sichone and Video Analyst Elias Chipota have been discharged from St George Hospital. The duo is out of danger and have been allowed to leave the hospital after having recovered from their illness,” Shepande.

“We are grateful to the medical authorities, our host Association and the Zambian Mission in South Africa for having accorded us support throughout this ordeal.”

Sichone and Chipota were hospitalised from suspected food poisoning on Saturday before Chaiwa joined the sick list after having featured in Zambia’s 3-1 loss to South Africa.

Other team members hit by the alleged food poisoning were never hospitalised but treated within camp. Football legend Kalusha Bwalya who is also FAZ Technical Committee vice chairperson suffered from the attack and withdrew from the Angola assignment to fully recover.

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