United States based centre back Aime Mabika is set to miss next month’s CAF 2023 African Cup of Nations back to back qualifiers.
The fallen Southern Africa giant will be away to Cote D’Ivoire on June 4 and then host Comoros in Lusaka four days later.
While Zambia coach Aljosa Asanovic could have loved to have named the Inter Miami defender for the qualifiers, passport issues has prevented the towering defender from making the squad.
“Asanovic will however have to wait on the fate of Inter-Miami CF defender Aime Mabika whose naturalization process is still pending,” wrote FAZ as they unveiled the squad for the qualifiers.
Mabika was born at Chawama Clinic in Lusaka on August 16, 1998, of Congolese parents.
While beaurecracy tends to be the order of the day in Zambia, Ivory Coast will be featuring a host of naturalized stars including Sebastian Haller, Wilf Zaha and Pepe.
For Comoros, their squad comprise two-thirds of players born in Europe.
With Mabika likely set to miss the tie Asanovic will look to partner Frankie Musonda with either Tandi Mwape or Dominic Chanda.
Zambia is expected to fly out to Ghana were they will set camp ahead of the Ivory Coast mouthwatering clash.
The problem is with the arrogant individuals or undesirable elements who want to sabotage kamanga. Whats the logic of barring this young player from representing the country of his choice. As long zambia continue working with these sabotuers we are heading nowhere.
Tony you r right! The saboteurs were responsible for our failure to make subsequent Afcons after 2014; they had a hand in selection of defenders who actually were bench warmers at the clubs! If anybody doubts my statement check out the defenders Lwandamina picked for the last crucial match in West Africa.
@Tony Mash
Saboteurs are practicing 100% witchcraft. This is witchcraft of highest level
What is wrong with these people? This boy’s umbilical cord is buried in Chawama, it doesn’t get any better than that, give him his damn passport and lets us every resource on our table to get back to AFCON!