Orlando Pirates defender Nalumango completes switch from Zambia to South Africa

Orlando Pirates youngster Milimo Nalumango has changed his international allegiance from Zambia to South Africa after the South African Football Association (SAFA) completed the required process with FIFA.

The highly rated centre-back had represented Zambia at under-17 and under-20 level, but is now part of Raymond Mdaka’s South Africa squad preparing for the U/20 COSAFA Championship in Mozambique.

The regional tournament starts this Friday, with Amajita drawn in Group B alongside Lesotho, Angola and Eswatini. Their first match is against Lesotho on Saturday.

Nalumango qualified to play for South Africa because he was born in Mzansi to Zambian parents. Once that eligibility was established, SAFA contacted FIFA and began the process of securing his release from Zambia.

The defender has previously been on the books of SuperSport United and German club DFI Bad Aibling, in addition to his involvement with Zambia’s junior national teams.

Mdaka said the authorities acted carefully after Nalumango and his parents expressed an interest in the player representing South Africa.

‘We went professionally’

“We decided to go professionally,” Mdaka told media during an Amajita training session in Emmarentia, Johannesburg, on Monday.

“What we did, so that we are not caught on the wrong side, immediately the boy came and he showed an interest and the parents showed an interest. We decided to go professionally. We went to the office to indicate that there is this situation and we engaged with FIFA.

“They told us the processes and we followed the processes. We engaged with Zambia until at long last they were able to allow us to release the boy to play for South Africa.”

Nalumango’s addition comes after SAFA followed the necessary protocols with FIFA and Zambia to complete the switch.

Existing squad relationships eased transition

Although Nalumango arrived having previously played for Zambia, Mdaka said he was already familiar with many members of the South Africa squad.

That helped him settle quickly into the group, with the coach admitting he was surprised by the strength of the player’s existing relationships with his new team-mates.

“I was shocked. The day he came to the session, I felt it’s not here because he played for Zambia, but I was shocked and surprised of the relationship that he had with other players,” Mdaka said.

“The boy has been here for some time. It’s just that he has played for Zambia. He has been with most of the boys that are here.”

Amajita will begin their COSAFA Championship campaign against Lesotho before facing Angola and Eswatini in Group B.