Former Zambian international striker Collins Mbesuma’s son Lineker is reportedly being considered by Zambia Under-20 National Team coach Chisi Mbewe as one of the foreign-based players to be summoned for the 2023 Egypt Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, which will be held in Egypt next year.
According to the Zambia Daily Mail newspaper, Mbewe says, “We are considering a number of foreign-based players, and one of them is Lineker Mbesuma.” “We have heard about him; we want to assess him and see if he can be included in the final team.”
Lineker began his career at SuperSport Soccer School when he was six years old and later transferred to Bidvest. He then moved on to TS Galaxy before joining Warriors FC where he currently plays.
His father was recently quoted as saying that he was asked by the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) about the possibility of his son playing for Zambia and told them that he wants to see his son don the Zambian colors one day.
The free-scoring 15-year-old has already scored more than two hat-tricks for his Warriors FC in South Africa. Last year, the youngster scored five goals in five games and has continued to impress with his fine form.
Lineker, who was born in Zambia but raised in South Africa, is fully qualified to represent his father’s country.
While many fans appear to be pleased with the coach’s decision, some are not and have taken to social media to express their views.
‘MBESUMA JR IS BEING RUSHED’
Saidi Masili Banda wrote on Facebook, “Don’t you think they are rushing the boy???? 15 under 20 will be abit too much. He is too young for name calling by ever angry Chipolopolo cadres.”
Another blogger Benjamin Mbewe also wrote, “Let him start with the Under 17s! Then if he impresses, you can promote him to U20s…”
“Better consider him for U17, is just 15 U20 will be too much for him at the end you might just disturb he’s progression,” Jonathan Given Gift Mangani also shared his views.
Paulsen Kalombe also believes the boy is being and wrote, “But why rushing him like that when we even have U17 where the boy can be assessed and then progress to U20.”
“Let him be assessed by U17 coaches not under 20,” wrote Selicial Maliselo.
‘AGE IS JUST A NUMBER, IF HE IS GOOD, CALL HIM’
Kyewe Evance says, “Gavi from Spain is just 18 years and he was called by Spain for the world cup in Qatar. The problem we have here in Zambia is we want to be considering players when they become madalas.”
Fiso Power Jr. : “Have watched the boy his finishing ability is accuracy keep on saying wait until his 17years coz South Africa is also watching him.”
Kaponda Sichdavy : “Skill speaks louder than age itself if he is good just called him don’t even worse time.”
