Orlando Pirates star earns international call-up

Orlando Pirates winger Ghampani Lungu has been rewarded with a Zambia national team call-up ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers later this month.

This comes after the 27-year-old attacker hit the ground running at Mayfair, scoring four goals and providing a solitary assist in seven games across all competitions thus far this season.

He joined the defending Betway Premiership champions from Siwelele FC during the off-season, in a move that was met with skepticism from a section of the Bucs faithful.

Notably, Lungu suffered an injury in the 4-0 rout of Kruger United in the league earlier this month but seems to have recovered in time for his return to the national team fold.

The Pirates forward last featured for Zambia in March 2024 in an international friendly match against Malawi, having made his debut in June 2019 against Morocco.

Lungu is the only player based in South Africa in the squad named by head coach George Lwandamina, who omitted several big names, including Clatous Chama of Tanzanian giants Simba SC.

Chipolopolo are in Group I alongside Algeria, Togo, and Burundi, as they look to qualify for the continental showpiece set to be co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania next year.

Zambia will lock horns with Algeria at Hocine Ait Ahmed Stadium on 25 September, before hosting Togo at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium four days later.

Hlayisani Magoro

Editorfr, en

Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.

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