Joseph Liteta has expressed his delight after becoming the youngest Zambian player to feature in the Italian Serie A, debuting for Cagliari Calcio in their 2-2 draw against Hellas Verona.
The youngster joined Cagliari Calcio in mid-2024 from then Zambian Super League side Atletico Lusaka FC after impressing during trials in Italy. He was then assigned to the club’s youth team, Cagliari U20, where he has been a mainstay.
In his first season with the youth team, Liteta won the Coppa Italia Primavera and started 26 of the 32 matches he featured in, bagging a goal and an assist from midfield.
At the beginning of the season, Liteta was summoned to Cagliari Calcio’s first team for their preseason friendly tour. He was fielded against the likes of Galatasaray, Saint-Étienne and Hannover 96.
Since the start of the 2025-26 season, the teenager has been playing for the U20 side in the Primavera 1, occasionally making the matchday squad of the first team in the Italian topflight.
Fabio Pisacane, who was the youth team coach last season, named Liteta in the Cagliari Calcio’s starting XI against Hellas Verona in the Serie A on Sunday.
Hence, Liteta became the first Zambian teenager and youngest Zambian player to debut in the Italian Serie A at just 19 years and 245 days. He is the third Zambian player to participate in the competition after Lameck Banda and Kingstone Mutandwa, who debuted at 21 years, 193 days and 21 years, 58 days, respectively.
Liteta and coach speak after the game
Speaking in an exclusive interview with BolaNews about his record-breaking milestone, Liteta said, “It’s a great feeling. This is what we’ve been praying for. Thank God [that] the hardwork is finally paying off.”
“The intensity is definitely a little bit high. But I just focus on doing my level best to help the team,” responded Liteta on playing in one of Europe’s toughest leagues.
The midfielder lasted 45 minutes against Hellas Verona, exiting the pitch at the interval due to a muscle strain.
Pisacane, Cagliari’s head coach, spoke highly of Liteta after the match, stating in a post match interview with Cagliari Media, “Liteta was born in 2006 and I know him well. He’s been shaped by my training methods. He shows more maturity than his experience would suggest. He has the calmness and composure needed to play in a direct clash like this.“
Liteta will be eager to get more opportunities in the Italian topflight with Cagliari. The youngster is now looking to shrug off his knock in time for an encounter against Sassuolo on October 30 at the Unipol Domus, in front of the Rossoblu fans.
READ ALSO: Copper Queens Qualify for 2026 WAFCON with Dominant Win Over Namibia
