Having scored six goals in eight league matches this season, Zambian striker Ingoma Mwanza is banking on his goalscoring form in Spain to help him fulfill his dream of playing for the Chipolopolo.
The 24-year-old is currently plying his trade for Spanish 5th-tier side CD Azuaga in the Tercera Federacion. He joined the Extremadura-based outfit as a free agent in August after parting ways with CD Arnedo.
Born in Pretoria, South Africa, to Zambian parents, Mwanza represented Glenwegians FC, University of Pretoria FC, and Nike Academy in South Africa before moving to Spain. The striker turned down an offer to sign for Mamelodi Sundowns’ reserves, opting to test his skills overseas.
In 2019, Spanish fourth-tier side Madridejos chipped up the striker from South Africa. He went on to represent the likes of Atletico Astorga, Agoncillo, Varea, CF La Solana, and Arnedo in the fourth and fifth tiers of Spanish football.
Mwanza’s Turning Point
Last season, while playing for CD Arnedo in the Tercera Federacion, the Zambian striker scored six goals in 31 games, which was his best-ever goal return since moving to Spain.
At the beginning of the 2024-25 season, he took up his next challenge, penning a deal with Tercera Federacion side CD Azuaga.
Mwanza has taken Spanish football by storm this season, scoring a career-high six goals in only eight league games.
Speaking about his impressive start to the season in an exclusive interview with BolaNews, Mwanza elated, “I’m feeling confident. It feels good that the hard work I have been putting in [for] the past seasons in Spain is finally showing the results. My teammates and coaches are very confident about what I have been doing.”
“The seasons before I was played as a winger, sometimes a number 10. This season they are playing me as a number 9. Now it’s mostly about scoring goals,” added the striker.
With both parents hailing from Zambia, Mwanza is eligible to represent the Zambian national team as his country of descent.
“If I get the opportunity to play for Zambia or South Africa, I would always choose Zambia. That’s why I am working towards getting in higher divisions to get the opportunity to play for Zambia,” aspired Mwanza.
“The end goal is to represent Zambia. All in God’s perfect timing.”
Mwanza hopes that he could get up the ladder in Spanish football and eventually play in top competitions like La Liga.
