Manchester City defender gets Zambia U23 call-up

Manchester City defender Jadel Katongo has been handed a Zambia U23 call-up for this October’s 2023 U23 AFCON qualifier against Sierra Leone.

The 18-year-old City defender is one of eight overseas-based call-ups in the team out of which two are new faces from the diaspora.

Katongo, whose father was born in Zambia, has yet to play a game for the main team.

The other player from the diaspora hoping to make the grade is Cardiff City forward Chanka Zimba. The latter’s parents are both Zambians.

Katongo and Zimba are part of a provisional 36-member Zambia U23 team coach Osward Mutapa named on Friday.

Mutapa’s team also includes six players from Chipolopolo’s 2022 COSAFA Cup winning team last July in Durban where Zambia beat Namibia 1-0 in the final.

They are strikers Ricky Banda of Red Arrows, Jimmy Mukeya of Napsa Stars, and Zesco United’s Enock Sakala Jr.

Others are midfielders Patrick Gondwe of Nkana and Power Dynamos’ Joshua Mutale.

Midfielder Prince Mumba who moved to NK Istra in Croatia after the COSAFA Cup is the other player.

Zambia will be away in Sierra Leone in their first round, first leg fixture during the weekend of October 21-23. The final leg is set for October 29 in Lusaka.

The winner will advance to the final stage to play the winner of Egypt versus Eswatini or Botswana second round tie.

ZAMBIA SQUAD

Foreign-based call-ups:
Prince Mumba (NK Istra-Croatia), Lameck Banda (Lecce-Italy), Miguel Chaiwa (BSC Young Boys), Golden Mafwenta (Real Monarchs (USA), Mannah Chiwisa (Atalanta-Italy), Peter Chikola (Gorica-Croatia), Jadel Katongo (Manchester City) and Chanka Zimba (Cardiff City-England).

Home-based call-ups:
GOALKEEPERS : Patrick Chooma (Prison Leopards), Levison Banda (Zesco United), Jeban Tembo (Red Arrows), Mukuka Chilufya (Shamuel)
 
DEFENDERS: John Chishimba (Zesco United), Emmanuel Bwalya Chembe, Andrew Phiri, Mathews Chabala (Nchanga Rangers), Christopher Katongo, Kingsley Hakwiya (Kansanshi Dynamos), Issah Kazembe (Indeni), Happy Nsiku (Red Arrows), Changwe Shikilwa (Power Dynamos), Amon Chulu (Nkana), Taonga Ngulube (Nangweshi FC), Chikondi Njobvu (Green Eagles)

MIDFIELDERS: Patrick Gondwe (Nkana), Johsua Mutale (Power Dynamos), Felix Banda (Napsa Stars), Muma Mumba (Kafue Eagles), Charles Majapa (Barcelona Academy), Golden Mashata (Green Buffaloes), Songa Chipyoka, Kasoma Luwawa (Zesco United), Emmanuel Mukosha (Green Eagles), Aaron Banda, Augustine Katongo (Kabwe Warriors), Emmanuel Mayungano (MUZA), Joseph ‘Sabobo’ Banda (Red Arrows)

STRIKERS: Reagan Mtonga (Power Dynamos), Jonathan Munalula (Forest Rangers), Jimmy Mukeya (Napsa Stars), Derrick Bulaya (Green Eagles), Enock Sakala Junior (Zesco United), Ricky Banda (Red Arrows), Kingstone Mutandwe (Barcelona Academy).