Despite being left out of the final Chipolopolo squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Green Buffaloes attacking midfielder Golden Mashata has sent a message of goodwill to the Chipolopolo boys ahead of the tournament, which will be held in Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11, 2024.

Mashata was one of the 30 players who were summoned by Avram Grant for the local camp but didn’t make it to the final squad. 

He made his senior national team debut at the 2023 Cosafa tournament, where he helped Zambia win their seventh title. He scored two goals and provided one assist in five matches in that competition.

The 22-year-old midfielder had a season in the Zambian Super League, scoring five goals and providing five assists, and his performance piqued the interest of Grant.

Mashata ended 2023 as Zambia’s highest goalscorer with nine goals for club and country.

In an exclusive interview with Bolanews, he said he is confident the Chipolopolo Boys have the talent to win AFCON.

“I wish them the best of luck and I pray that they accomplish the mission. 

“We have great talent and competition; if they work as a team, the sky is the limit.”

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Mashata will now shift attention to helping Green Buffaloes challenge for the title in the Zambian Super League.

He said, “I want to score more than 10 goals this season.”

Green Buffaloes are currently 11th in the Super League standings with 23 points from 18 games played. They will face Napsa Stars on Saturday