LUSAKA Anthony Morrow Jersey , Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Skipper of the Zambia national soccer team Christopher Katongo has been kicked out of the team currently preparing for an African Cup of Nations qualifier against Niger on Wednesday, the country's soccer governing body confirmed in a statement on Tuesday.
The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations winning captain was excused from the team due to alleged indiscipline while in camp, according to unconfirmed reports.
While not categorically stating the real reason behind the expelling, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) said the move was a 'bold decision' to bolster team spirit and unity.
The statement said coach Honor Janza was trying to take bold measures to his squad that will face Niger.
"Janza intends to make drastic changes to the squad to face Niger on Wednesday therefore he wished to spare the blushes of the captain arising out of the possible omission from the team Chicago Bulls Hats Sale ," the statement said.
"No player will be kept in camp as has been the case lately once the final 18 players have been named. This is to avoid negative energy that might emanate from players that will be left out of the team," it added.
Katongo was relegated to the bench during the game against Niger away in Niamey on Saturday and only came in as a substitute in the 78th minute.
Local media reported that the captain was leading a faction within the team, a move that angered the technical bench.
Zambia faces Niger on Wednesday at the ultra-modern Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola city on the Copperbelt Province in a must-win encounter in order to brighten chances of qualifying for next year's finals to be staged by Morocco.
Zambia has only managed to get two points from three games played so far. The Chipolopolo drew 0-0 with Mozambique in September before losing 2-1 to Cape Verde during the same month. Last Saturday, the team settled for a barren draw against Niger.
Cape Verde leads Group F with six points Chicago Bulls T-Shirts Sale , followed by Mozambique with five points. Zambia and Niger have two points each.
The Niger national football team arrived on Monday afternoon.