Zambia’s Czech Republic-based defender, Golden Mafwenta, has spoken out after being dropped from the Chipolopolo squad that will compete in a four-nation friendly tournament in Lilongwe beginning March 24, 2024.
The tournament will feature hosts Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Kenya.
Zambia will begin their campaign against Zimbabwe on Saturday at the Bingu National Stadium, while Malawi will face Kenya.
The winners of the two matches will face off in the final on Tuesday, while the losers will compete for third and fourth place.
The tournament is being held to prepare for the upcoming back-to-back 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in June.
In an interview with BolaNews, Mafwenta stated that he is not bitter and is fully supportive of the team.
“Just wishing them all the best and supporting them, they just have to give it all for our motherland, which they will,” said the 23-year-old defender for MFK Vyškov.
Mafwenta made his senior Chipolopolo debut against Tanzania at the CHAN tournament in Cameroon in 2021, and has since become a regular call-up under Avram Grant.
The former Zanaco defender appeared in both Congo Brazzaville and Niger matches and was also part of the 2023 Afcon squad, but did not play at the tournament.
Mafwenta has this season appeared in 18 matches for his club, helping them to second place with 35 points from 19 games thus far.
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