MAYEMBE WHO?
… ‘Micho’ calls unheralded Cardiff City youngster for national duty
ZAMBIA national soccer team coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic has named a 36-member squad which sees talented young Cardiff City midfielder Ntazana Mayembe handed his maiden Chipolopolo call up for next month’s international friendly matches against Senegal, Benin, and Sudan.
The Chipolopolo will face Senegal on June 5 before travelling to the city of Cotonou for a match against Benin three days later.
Zambia will conclude the FIFA June international window with a match against Sudan in Omdurman on June 11.
“Micho” who had traveled to Europe to poach players of Zambian descent has included the 18-year-old talented Mayembe who represented England at under-15 level, before switching to Wales at under-18.
According to walesonline.co.uk, the forward signed his pro-contract in the week of his 17th birthday last January, but struggled to really kick on this season, partly due to injury, and was forced to play most of his football for the under-18s when many thought he would be a regular fixture in the under-23.
Meanwhile, “Micho” who had also summoned Raith Rovers defender Frankie Musonda who has been ruled out due to injury, has also called the Djurgardens duo of in-form striker Edward Chilufya and midfielder Emmanuel Banda.
“Micho” has also handed the Lusaka Dynamos duo of defender Gaboniso Magenge and midfielder Wisdom Moyela and Kitwe United’s Edward Lungu who has been impressive despite his team being demoted from the Super League.
The 36-member squad is without the Red Bull duo of Patson Daka and Enock Mwepu and newly signed Glasgow Rangers forward Fashion Sakala.
According to the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), Daka and Mwepu are working out prospective moves in the aftermath of the 2021 season while Sakala is expected to finalise on his move to Rangers coached by Liverpool legend, Steven Gerard.
FULL SQUAD: GOAL KEEPERS
Cyril Chibwe (Polokwane City-RSA), Lameck Siame (Kabwe Warriors), Gregory Sanjase ( Young Green Eagles), Charles Muntanga (Nkwazi)
DEFENDERS
Tandi Mwape, Kabaso Chongo ( TP Mazembe-DRC), Adrian Chama (Zesco United), Golden Mafwenta, Isaac Shamujompa (Buildcon), Dominic Chanda (Kabwe Warriors),Gaboniso Magenge (Lusaka Dynamos), Benedict Chepeshi, Prosper Chiluya (both Red
Arrows), Roderick Kabwe (Black Leopards-RSA)
MIDFIELDERS
Benson Sakala (Power Dynamos), Paul Katema (Red Arrows), Emmanuel Banda (Djurgardens-Sweden), Salulani Phiri (Polokwane City-RSA), Klings Kangwa (Arsenal Tula-Russia), Rally Bwalya (Simba SC-Tanzania), Prince Mumba (Kabwe Warriors),
STRIKERS
Edward Chilufya (Djurgardens-Sweden), Augustine Mulenga (Amazulu-RSA), Lameck Banda (Maccabi Netanya-Israel), Kelvin Mubanga (Zesco United), Ntazana Mayembe (Cardiff City-England), Rogers Kola, Moses Phiri (both Zanaco), Brina Mwila (Buildcon), Lubambo Musonda (Slask Wroclaw-Poland), Clatous Chama (Simba SC-Tanzania), Collins Sikombe, Wisdom Moyela (both Lusaka Dynamos), Amity Shamende (Green Eagles), Spencer Sautu (Power Dynamos), Edward Lungu (Kitwe United).