Lungu earns Zambia recall after fast start at Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates winger Gamphani Lungu has been rewarded for his impressive start at the club with a place in Zambia’s 27-man squad for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

Lungu is the only player based in South Africa selected by Zambia coach George Lwandamina after scoring four goals and providing one assist in seven appearances since joining Pirates during the off-season from Siwelele.

Zambia, known as Chipolopolo, have been drawn in Group I alongside Algeria, Togo and Burundi. Their qualifying campaign begins away to Algeria on September 25, before they host Togo four days later.

The call-up represents a significant step for Lungu, who has not previously been a regular member of the national team. His progress has also been recognised by former Zambia coach Wedson Nyirenda, who worked with the winger earlier in his career.

“Gamphani is the success story of a patient and highly disciplined professional,” Nyirenda said in an interview published in the latest edition of KICK OFF magazine.

Nyirenda first encountered Lungu in Lusaka when the player was still young. After returning to Zambia from Beira, where he had coached Clube Ferroviario da Beira, Nyirenda was appointed national team manager in 2017 and gave Lungu his first call-up to the senior camp.

“I knew Gamphani when he was very young back in Lusaka,” Nyirenda said.

“When I came back to Zambia from Beira (where he coached Clube Ferroviario da Beira) to take up the national team job in 2017, I gave the young man his first call-up to camp.

“What struck me is that he came to camp in time and I had a word with him.

“I told him that I didn’t call him to outrightly play but to show him my confidence and make him know that I acknowledge his talent.”

Lungu left for South Africa after that three-day camp. Nyirenda did not see much of him afterwards but followed his development at SuperSport United, where the player worked his way through the ranks.

The former coach also highlighted Lungu’s versatility. The winger has played at right-back, left-back, right-wing, left-wing, as a second striker and as a centre-forward.

“He is an epitome of the new generation football player,” Nyirenda said.

“Why we have not been using this son of the soil in Zambia, I don’t know.

“As at now he deserves a position in our national team.”

Nyirenda said he watched Lungu play last season and believed he had been an important figure for his team. He is now confident the player can make a strong contribution to Pirates after establishing himself in their side.

“Now he has broken into the Bucs team with great explosion,” he said.

“I am so confident that he will help Pirates because this young man is a simply a professional.”

Nyirenda has extensive experience of South African football, having played for Kaizer Chiefs and later coached Baroka.