United States of America-based defender Aime Mabika’s naturalization has hit a snag, The ZamFoot Crew understands.
Mabika was born in Zambia to Congolese parents before they migrated to the United States of America when he was eight years old.
Mabika was handed his first national team call-up by Chipolopolo coach Aljosa Asanovic during the March FIFA window for the friendly games.
The 23-year-old and Frankie Chisenga Musonda made a defensive partnership with many soccer fans impressed by their combination and outing.
With the 2023 AFCON qualifiers on the horizon, Musonda’s naturalization was completed yesterday with the approval of his Citizenship and the issuance of his Passport.
Mabika however is yet to be cleared with Government reluctant to complete the process, the ZamFoot Crew understands.
Last week FAZ president, Andrew Ndanga Kamanga revealed that the Association had mobilized all the paper work needed to naturalize the two players for the Chipolopolo Boys.
Mabika earned his first outing with the national team following a standout 2021 with Inter Miami CF II, being a starter in all 14 matches he played and serving regularly as the team’s captain.
The center back also earned two call ups to the First Team last season prior to signing with Inter Miami on Jan. 13, 2022 and becoming another product of the club’s development path to make the jump to MLS.
After the March FIFA window friendly matches with Zambia he went on to play full shifts in the David Beckham owned Inter-Miami’s four straight wins before sustaining an injury in the 2-0 loss to New England Revolution.
The Copper Bullets are in group H alongside hosts Côte d’Ivoire, Comoros and Lesotho for the qualifiers of the 34th edition of the international men’s football championship of Africa.
Aljosa Asanovic’s men will start their campaign with an away fixture against the 2015 Champions, Ivory Coast on June 3rd.
The 2012 AFCON Champions will then host Comoros on June 7th before a back-to-back engagement with Lesotho at home on September 19 and in Maseru eight days later.
The Enock Mwepu captained side will then host Ivory Coast on March 20th, 2023 before wrapping up their campaign away in Moroni with a date against Comoros on March 28th.
Zambia will be looking for an 18th African Cup of Nations appearance.
