July 12, (THEWILL) – In yet another blow to teams preparing for the upcoming 2023 Women’s World Cup, Zambia’s national team announced that their starting goalkeeper, Hazel Nali, will be unable to participate in the tournament due to serious knee ligament injuries.
The news comes just days before the competition kicks off in Australia and New Zealand on July 20, further heightening concerns about the impact of injuries on the sport. Zambia, who are set to make their World Cup debut, will commence their campaign against 2011 champions Japan on July 22. Expressing their support for Nali, the Zambia team took to Twitter, saying: “Get well soon, Nali, we are with you.”
Nali’s absence adds to a growing list of players from various teams who have been ruled out of the tournament due to injuries. European champions England have also faced setbacks, losing key players such as captain Leah Williamson, Euro 2022 Golden Boot winner Beth Mead, and Fran Kirby. Similarly, the United States will be without their top scorer, Mallory Swanson.
These injuries have raised significant concerns among teams as they prepare for the highly anticipated tournament. With the Women’s World Cup just around the corner, the absence of prominent players due to injuries is becoming a recurring theme, as THEWILL previously reported.
Experts have long recognised that female players face a significantly higher knee risk compared to their male counterparts. Factors such as training surfaces, appropriate footwear, and biomechanical differences, including pelvic shape and hormonal changes, contribute to this increased susceptibility. Studies and efforts are being made to prioritise prevention and address safety concerns, including the need for better-tailored equipment specifically designed for women to mitigate the dangers they face.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
