Nkana Football Club defender Chitoshi Chinga has reacted to his Chipolopolo call-up for the 2024 COSAFA Cup, which starts this week.
On Sunday, head coach Chisi Mbewe unveiled a 23-man squad for the regional tournament, which will be held in Gqeberha from June 26 to July 7.
The defending champions are in Group B with perennial rival Zimbabwe, guest nation Kenya, and the Comoros Islands.
On Thursday, Zambia will face the Harambee Stars at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium to kick off its campaign.
Mbewe’s lads will then face Zimbabwe at Wolfson Stadium on June 30 before concluding their final group involvement against the Comoros on July 2.
Chinga, who had an impressive season with Nkana, helping them avoid relegation, expressed his delight at making his first Chipolopolo squad.
The 26-year-old hard-tackling defender, who can also play defensive midfield, said he is looking forward to the new challenge with his national team.
“All I can say is that God’s timing is the best. I really don’t want to talk too much; let me focus and work hard,” he told BolaNews.
Since his debut against FC MUZA, Nkana has only lost once—1–0 to Napsa Stars—while recording crucial wins over Power Dynamos and Mufulira Wanderers, including a clean sheet against second-placed ZESCO United.
Chinga believes that now is the time to don the Chipolopolo jersey.
“For God to bring this opportunity, then there is light, and that light is here to shine,” he concluded.
