Winston Kalengo will miss the 2016 CAF African Nations Championship after completing a move abroad on Monday.
The Zesco United and Zambia striker joined Congo-Brazzaville giants AC Leopards on a long-term deal.
The development means Kalengo is now ineligible to play at the CHAN tournament that Rwanda will host from January 16 to February 7.
CHAN is a second tier Africa Cup exclusively for home-based players that enters its fourth edition next month in Kigali.
“We are happy that among all the offers we got for the player he chose this one because it had the best conditions and as a club we will support him even as he settles at his new club,” Zesco secretary Justin Mumba said.
“He has been an instrumental player in the years he has been here and we are happy that his hard work is paying off.”
The 2015 Golden Boot winner scored 18 goals for Zesco to help them retain the FAZ Super Division title this year.
He was also Zambia’s top scorer in the CHAN qualifiers with three goals that handed Chipolopolo its first tournament appearance since 2009 when they finish third at the inaugural tournament hosted by Cote d’Ivoire.
Kalengo leaves Zesco after joining them from Zanaco in 2010.
GUD BUT ZESCO WHAT ARE GOING TO DO SHARPEN YO FRONT OR U HAVE GIVEN IN
And these 1diots you call FAZ had to wait for fans to cry for his national team cap?Am sure their are more Kalengo s out there whom the likes of Kalu want to have them bribe him before he considers calling them.
THE MOVE IS UNTIMELY HE WOULD HAVE WAITED…….. FOR THE CHAN…. SO THAT HE GETS MORE ATTETION TO CLUBS EVEN OUTSIDE AFRICA….. NOW…………. BRA……. BRA……… BRA (congo sure) ………….. Zambians money money….. not talent talent……