Former Zambia youth international Milimo Nalumango has switched allegiance to South Africa and Amajita head coach Raymond Mdaka explained how the move happened.
The 19-year-old defender, born in South Africa to Zambian parents, recently joined Orlando Pirates from the German school team, DFI Bad Aibling, after earlier spells at SuperSport United.
SAFA then followed FIFA processes and engaged Zambia until the youngster, who had played for Zambia’s U17 and U20 teams, was cleared to join Amajita, South Africa’s under-20 national team.
“What we did, so that we are not caught on the wrong side, immediately the boy came and he showed an interest and the parents showed an interest,” Mdaka told Soccer Laduma.
“We decided to go professionally. We went to the office to indicate that there is this situation and we engaged with FIFA. They told us the processes and we followed the processes. We engaged with Zambia until at long last they were able to allow us to release the boy to play for South Africa.”
“I was shocked. The day he came to the session, I felt it’s not here because he played for Zambia, but I was shocked and surprised of the relationship that he had with other players. The boy has been here for some time. It’s just that he has played for Zambia. He has been with most of the boys that are here.”
Milimo is in the South Africa Under-20 squad preparing for the COSAFA Under-20 Championship in Mozambique, scheduled to start on Friday, 18 September 2026.
