Last month, Zambian international Albert Kangwanda joined Sudanese top-flight side Al-Hilal Sports Club on a four-year deal from the Red Arrows.
The 23-year-old was the joint top scorer at the 2023 Cosafa Cup tournament with three goals, helping the Chipolopolo Boys claim the title for the seventh time.
It was Kangwanda’s second Cosafa Cup in a row, having also scored the winning goal in the final last year.
However, his transfer to the Sudanese League side has drawn mixed reactions from fans, with some saying it’s substandard.
In response, Kangwanda tells BolaNews in an exclusive interview from Tunisia that his move to Al-Hilal was necessary for his career progression.
“Al-Hilal is one of the biggest teams in Africa, and they play in the CAF Champions League almost every season, so you know, the CAF Champions League is good for my exposure.
“That is what motivated me to join the team so that I can take my career to another level.”
Due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan, Al-Hilal has relocated their base and club operations to Tunisia, where they will play their CAF Champions League fixtures.
Last season, Kangwanda had a shot spell in Croatia at HNK Gorica, but it wasn’t a success as he returned home to join Red Arrows.
“My spell in Croatia didn’t go well, so I picked up a number of lessons from there, which I will use to succeed here.
“I also think that I lacked a bit of experience, but from there, I picked one or two things that will help me grow in my career,” he said.
Kangwanda wants to play at next year’s AFCON
The Kafue Celtic product has said that his target at his new club is to finish as the top scorer as well as win the CAF Champions League.
Kangwanda is confident that will help him earn a place in the Chipolopolo squad ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
“My target at the club is to finish as the top scorer and also win the CAF Champions League,” he revealed.
“For the Chipolopolo boys, it is to make it to AFCON by being part of the squad and also World Cup qualifiers,” he said.
Meanwhile, Al-Hilal failed to qualify for the knockout stage of the CAF Champions League last season after finishing third in their group, behind Al-Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns on goal difference.
The Sudanese giants have been drawn against neighboring South Sudan side Salaam F.C. in the preliminary round of this season’s Champions League with Kangwanda looking to make his debut in the interclub competition.
