Chipolopolo Boys second choice goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata is in dilemma as the decision he is going to take might map his international career.
It is an open secret that it is difficult for goalkeepers to clinch professional deals. And when one pops up, one has to take it with both hands.
But it’s not the case with one Zambian player.
The Zanaco shot stopper has been offered the chance to ply his trade with unnamed South African club next year but the chance to gain tournament experience as he bids to establish himself and dislodge Kennedy Mweene as Zambia’s safe hands is proving to be stumbling block.
“Nsabata is aware that this is his chance to Zambia’s first choice goalkeeper. Should he impress at the CHAN tournament then he won’t do himself any harm,” a ZamFoot Crew source said.
Though the official stance is that Nsabata, Lubinda Mundia and Isaac Shamujompa have been excused from this week’s training camp as they are set to get married, there’s a notion from inside Chipolopolo camp, Nsabata and Mundia were finalising deals to Tanzania and South Africa respectively.
“Toaster could be in South Africa but he wants to strike a deal that he can join them after CHAN.
The CHAN tournament will run from January 12 to February 4, 2018 and depending on the transfer window in South Africa, he might wait for the June – August window should Zambia reach the finals.
In Nsabata’s absence, Chipolopolo Boys coach Wedson Nyirenda has been taking a closer look at Nkana’s Moses Mapulanga and Allan Chibwe from Power Dynamos.
Red Arrows’ Ken Mumba is the other back up goalkeeper.
Zambia is in Group B alongside Ivory coast, Uganda and Namibia.