Aime Mabika left out of the Chipolopolo squad
Aime Mabika left out of the Chipolopolo squad
Zambia national team coach Aljosa Asanovic has today unveiled his 27-man squad for the September international friendly matches against Mali and Libya.
Aime Mabika has been left out again since he has no Zambian passport despite featuring for the Chipolopolo in two non-competitive friendly matches against Benin and Congo Brazaville in March this year.
The 24-year-old was born in Zambia to Congolese parents before moving to the United States where he plays for Inter Miami football club as a centre-back.
Mabika and British-born defender Frankie Musonda both pledged allegiance to represent the Zambian colors in March this year which saw them make their debut for Zambia in two friendly matches.
Since then, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal security’s board only awarded Zambian citizenship to Musonda who was born to a Zambian father and English mother.
Musonda went on to feature for the Chipolopolo boys in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Ivory coast and Comoros in June.
Mabika up to date has not been given a Zambian passport and the relevant authorities have not given an explanation to the media amid questions from fans who want the Inter Miami defender to feature for his country of birth.
The Football Association of Zambia-FAZ could now make a fresh application for the naturalization of the towering defender.
The Chipolopolo boys will enter in camp this weekend before flying to Benghazi where the team will play Libya and Mali in a three-nation tournament on the 21st and 25th September 2022 respectively.
