Zambia to assess Collins Mbesuma’s son for 2023 U20 AFCON

Zambia U20 coach Chisi Mbewe wants to assess Collins Mbesuma’s South African-based 15-year-old son for possible inclusion in his 2023 Egypt U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) squad.

Liniker Mbesuma was born in Zambia but grew up in South Africa.

The teenage striker currently plays for Warriors FC academy in South Africa.

Mbewe said he already has three European-based players in his plans for the February tournament in Egypt but also wants to look at Mbesuma Junior.

“So far, I am focused on those players, but they are some players we want to assess,” Mbewe said.

ZAMBIA TO HAVE A LOOK AT MBESUMA

“We have been hearing of Mbesuma in South Africa, and we want to assess him and see if we can include him in the team with a few others.”

Mbewe’s overseas trio is winger Richard Ngoma of Maccabi Netanya in Israel, midfielder Miguel Chaiwa of Young Boys in Switzerland and striker Peter Chiklola from Croatian Club HNK Gorcia.

Mbesuma’s prospective call-up comes after he was conspicuously missing from the 2022 COSAFA U17 Cup in Malawi despite indications last August from his father that he might be considered for a junior call-up.

The 15-year-old striker started his junior career as a 6-year-old at SuperSport United Academy before moving to Bidvest Wits and later TS Galaxy.

Mbesuma currently plays for the Warriors U19 team.

Meanwhile, the Zambia U20 team entered camp last week in Lusaka with 36 players that Mbewe trimmed 30 this week.

“We still need to reduce the numbers because we have to accommodate the foreign-based players like Richard Ngoma, Peter Chikola and Miguel Chaiwa,” Mbewe said.

Zambia qualified for the 2023 U20 AFCON after beating the then COSAFA U20 Cup holders Mozambique 1-0 last October in the final of the tournament held in Eswatini.

The two teams will represent the COSAFA Zone at the tournament Egypt will host from February 18 to March 12.

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