FROM MAZABUKA TO GEORGIA: KWALALA MUTELI’S JOURNEY
Zambian striker Kwalala Muteli is determined to turn a challenging football journey into a platform for bigger opportunities.
Known by the nickname “Street Striker”, Muteli is a right-footed forward who combines physical strength, height, positioning and an ability to read the game.
His football journey has already taken him from school football and the Lusaka Youth Soccer Academy to Nkwazi FC and, briefly, Georgian Liga 3 side FC Betlemi Keda.
Now, after overcoming injury and personal loss, the striker is focused on rebuilding his career and pursuing his long-term ambitions in professional football.
THE BEGINNING IN MAZABUKA
Muteli was born at Mazabuka General Hospital and grew up in a family of four, with two boys and two girls.
He also began his education in Mazabuka before football gradually became an increasingly important part of his life.
His first serious football breakthrough came while playing in secondary school.
“I first started playing soccer in secondary school where I was outstanding,” Muteli explained.
His performances eventually earned him an opportunity to join Lusaka Youth Soccer Academy in 2022.
INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE
A year after joining Lusaka Youth Soccer Academy, Muteli experienced international youth football when the team travelled to Portugal, Spain and Italy to participate in tournaments and friendly matches.
In Madrid, the academy competed in the Mad Cup Madrid and finished second.
Muteli played a significant role, scoring five goals during the tournament.
The team then travelled to Portugal for the Iber Cup, where they emerged champions, with Muteli scoring the winning penalty.
Italy provided another opportunity to experience international football through friendly matches.
The trips exposed the young striker to different football cultures and competitive environments outside Zambia.
BREAKTHROUGH AT NKwazi FC
After returning to Zambia, Muteli secured a move to Nkwazi FC.
He featured in the second round of the 2024/25 season and finished the campaign with three goals.
His performances soon attracted attention from outside Zambia.
A scout who was visiting the country watched a match between Nkwazi and Forest Rangers, where Muteli started and delivered what he describes as one of his strongest performances.
After the match, the scout approached him and expressed interest in representing him as an agent.
The promise was simple: an opportunity to pursue trials in Europe.
A month later, that opportunity became reality.
MOVE TO GEORGIA
Muteli travelled to Georgia and attended trials with FC Betlemi Keda.
His performances were enough to earn him a contract with the Georgian Liga 3 club.
However, his time at the club was disrupted by complications surrounding his international clearance, which limited the number of games he could play.
Later, disagreements between his agent and the club over wages and related matters eventually resulted in the two parties mutually agreeing to part ways.
The move may not have developed as Muteli had hoped, but it provided another important lesson in his professional journey.
AN EIGHT-MONTH SETBACK
After returning to Zambia, Muteli resumed training with Nkwazi FC.
Then another setback arrived.
He suffered a ligament injury that kept him out of football for approximately eight months.
Just as he was approaching recovery, Muteli faced an even more painful personal loss.
His mother died in December 2025.
The loss made his return to football even more difficult.
He continued undergoing medical assessments while working towards recovery.
Eventually, he regained his fitness and began looking forward to returning to competitive football.
POLICE SERVICE OPPORTUNITY
Muteli’s journey has also extended beyond football.
Having previously played for Nkwazi FC, he earned an opportunity to join the Zambia Police Service through the 2026 intake.
He is expected to continue his association with Nkwazi for the coming season while pursuing his football ambitions.
For Muteli, football remains the primary sporting ambition, but he also wants to build a future away from the pitch.
THE ‘STREET STRIKER’
Muteli describes himself as a striker whose physical attributes can make him difficult to defend against.
His right foot is his stronger foot, while his height gives him an advantage in aerial situations.
He believes his ability to protect the ball, combined with his positioning and reading of the game, allows him to fit into different tactical systems.
He is particularly confident in his ability to hold up the ball and use his physical presence to bring teammates into play.
His nickname, “Street Striker,” reflects the character and directness he brings to the attacking role.
EUROPE REMAINS THE TARGET
Despite the setbacks he has encountered, Muteli’s ambitions remain unchanged.
He wants to play professionally outside Zambia again and establish himself in European football.
“I still want to play football, not just local but in Europe as well,” he says.
At the same time, he wants to pursue a degree in aeronautical engineering, combining his sporting ambitions with an academic career.
DREAMING OF THE CHIPolopolo
Like many young Zambian footballers, Muteli also has his eyes on the national team.
Representing Zambia remains one of his biggest ambitions.
“Playing for the Zambia national team is every Zambian footballer’s dream, and it’s one of my goals.”
For now, his focus is on training, regaining consistency and continuing to improve.
His journey has already included international tournaments, professional football, a move to Europe, injury and personal tragedy.
The next chapter will be about turning those experiences into motivation.
At Nkwazi, Muteli will have another opportunity to prove himself.
And for the “Street Striker,” the bigger destination remains clear: professional football in Europe and, ultimately, the Zambia national team.
