Zambian defender Nyambe Mulenga will miss the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals after fracturing his right leg in a road accident in central Zambia.
The 33-year-old international, who plays for local premier league champions Zesco United, was instrumental in Zambia's Africa Cup qualifier games, reports Xinhua.
Central Province Police Commissioner Standwell Lungu said the accident claimed four lives and happened following a head-on collision between Toyota Prado and a bus from that was carrying some players from the local club.
Mulenga, with two other players, suffered serious head injuries and fractured legs and hands.
According to the police chief, the bus was carrying nine people and was taking the three players to Lusaka, the country's capital, where they were supposed to link up with other national team players to start preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations finals.
The player is expected to be out for 12 weeks.
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The country's football governing body, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), has since clinched a friendly match with South Africa to be played on January 4 as part of preparations for its team.
The Chipolopolo have been drawn in Group B alongside Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Cape Verde and Tunisia.