Mdaka reveals how Nalumango was cleared to represent South Africa

Amajita coach Raymond Mdaka says South Africa followed the correct procedures to secure Milimo Nalumango’s switch from Zambia after the Orlando Pirates defender expressed an interest in changing his international allegiance.

The 19-year-old, who was born in Johannesburg to Zambian parents, has a South African grandmother who was born in Kimberley. He recently joined Orlando Pirates’ DDC team after representing Zambia at both under-17 and under-20 level.

Nalumango used his South African passport while playing for Zambia, but Mdaka said the player’s move to South Africa was handled through the proper channels, with the South African Football Association engaging FIFA and the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ).

“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,” Mdaka said.

“But what we did, so that we are not caught on the wrong side, immediately the boy came and showed an interest and the parents showed an interest, we decided to go professionally.

“So we went to the office to indicate that there is this situation, there is this boy, we want to do this. And we engaged with FIFA, they told us the processes, we followed the processes, they engaged with Zambia until at long last they were able to allow us and at least the boy to be able to play for South Africa.”

Mdaka preparing Amajita for regional challenge

Nalumango is part of a new-look Amajita squad travelling to Mozambique for the COSAFA U20 Championships tomorrow.

Mdaka said the selection of the team had taken account of the players’ early development and physical strength, with lessons from last year’s AFCON also influencing his approach.

The coach is also working within a wider plan aimed at creating continuity between South Africa’s national teams. SAFA Technical Director Molefi Ntseki has identified that consistency as one of the technical priorities, while newly appointed Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane is supporting the same approach.

Mdaka said he had already met Mosimane and that they were working towards aligning the national teams.

Amajita begin their Group B campaign against Lesotho on Saturday before facing Angola two days later. Their final group match is against Eswatini on the 23rd.

South Africa must finish top of the group to guarantee a place in the semi-finals. They must then reach the final to qualify for the AFCON, where they are the defending champions.

Mdaka’s squad will therefore be attempting to retain both the regional and continental titles, beginning with the COSAFA U20 Championships campaign in Mozambique.