Mabika finally cleared and issued with a Zambian passport

Chipolopolo defender Aime Mabika has finally been cleared and has been issued with a Zambian passport. 

Sports Minister Elvis Nkandu confirmed the development in a post on his Social media platform. 

The towering defender has now been issued with a Zambian passport which means he will be available for Chipolopolo selection.

The Lusaka born player featured for Zambia in the friendly matches against Congo Brazzaville and Benin last year in Antalya, Turkey.

The Minister has also urged the Football Association of Zambia to continue identifying players of Zambian descent willing to play for Chipolopolo. 

“Good evening fellow citizens;

We wish to officially announce to the nation that the Government of the Republic of Zambia through the Ministry of home affairs and Internal Security has cleared and issued Amie Mabika with a Zambian Passport.

The finalization of the naturalization process of the United States-based defender Amie Mabika could now make him available to play for the national team including the two uninterrupted AFCON Group H fixtures Lesotho scheduled for this month.

We have since communicated to the Football Association of Zambia – FAZ via a phone call about the collection of Amie Mabika’s Zambian Passport tomorrow, Tuesday 7th March 2023.

We further wish to urge the country’s Football Mother Body FAZ to continue identifying talents that were ready for naturalization and bring them forward.

Hon. Elvis Nkandu, MP

Minister of Youth, Sport, and Arts.”

Mabika is yet to make an official appearance for Zambia.

Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant is expected to name him in his squad for the African Cup of Nations qualifier against Lesotho.

Zambia will host the first leg match at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on March 23rd, with the game scheduled to kickoff at 18h00 (GMT 16H00).

Lesotho will host the return match at Dobsonville Stadium in Johannesburg on March 26th with kickoff set at 15h00 (GMT 13H00)

Chipolopolo and Likuena have 3 points and one point respectively after two rounds of matches