Zambian football export, William Chilufya could play for Namibia national team, the Brave Warriors, as he is reportedly in the process of applying for that country’s citizenship.
Chilufya, who has been living in Namibia since 1998, has decided to renounce his Zambian citizenship and acquire a Namibian passport. According to the Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), Chilufya, who is a prominent striker in the premier division, Civics Football Club, has started the process of changing his citizenship.
The 23-year-old striker told Nampa that he has adapted to the Namibian way of life and its soccer since he first came to Namibia at the age of 15 to play for Katima Wanderers.
Nampa says Chilufya’s parents in Zambia have since given their son the blessing to change his nationality.
 If he gets the green light, Chilufya could become the first foreigner to play for Namibia under such circumstances.
On what he could do for the Brave Warriors should his application for Namibian citizenship succeed, Chilufya said team-work is all it takes for a football squad to win matches.
Chilufya was the top goal-scorer in the Namibia Premier League during the 2001/2002 season with 29 goals when he helped Liverpool win the league and was also the top goal-scorer for his team, Civics, during the 2004/2005 season with 17 goals.ÂÂ
 Chilufya, who is fondly called Cosmos by his fans, helped Civics lift the premiership trophy twice in 2004/5 and 2005/6 seasons.
Chilufya was one of the four players who each scored 10 goals during the 2005/2006 season and has so far scored 9 goals in 17 matches in the current league season. Approached for comment, Namibia Football Association (NFA) Acting Secretary-General, Barry Rukoro, said various members of the public have requested his office to assist Chilufya in becoming a Namibian citizen to enable him play for the Brave Warriors.
 He added that Chilufya is still young and can make a contribution to Namibia as a soccer player. “The NFA cannot doubt his commitment to Namibian soccer, considering the contribution he has made thus far as one of the top strikers in the country,” Rukoro said.
Chilufya is serious about soccer and loves Namibia, Rukoro said, adding that the NFA will support his application for citizenship. “If his application is approved, he will benefit our game,” Rukoro said.
On his part, Senior National Team Coach, Ben Bamfuchile, said Chilufya has the potential to become a national team player because he is a good player and goal-scorer. Bamfuchile is quoted by NAMPA as having said that Chilufya qualifies to play for any national team, be it Zambian or Namibian.
He added that acquiring Namibian citizenship will be advantageous in pursuing a soccer career.
However, the process of getting Namibian citizenship could take between one month and two years, depending on various factors such as the availability of the required documents, an official from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration said.ÂÂ
No
Bumfuchile what are you doing you went there to coach Namibia but not poach Zambian footballers.
Let the boy play for Namibia because in the Zambia National Team he does not stand a chance. It is rather in his interest and that of his career.
This is a wake up call for FAZ. This time you should be busy rounding up all potential Zambian players in any part of the world in preparation for the 2010 world cup. The governemnt and FAZ should come in quickly by enticing the boy to play for zambia. Let kaumba call the boy for trials, if successful, include him in the Under 23 team. We have already lost too many promising young talent, we can not afford to lose yet another gelm in the making. Work up FAz, Work up government!
I concur with Kemps Mwape. Let the Boy take a chance in Namibia. I enecourage many other Zambians who cant make it in Zed to migrate and optimise themselves. Send money to Zed and invest with the oreign money..It is a global world.
looking at the current Zambian strike force, William can give Zambians some thing to smile for. We Namibians will be happy if the process goes through as soon as possible.
Many opportunities and stability for you Chilufya. You are welcome, this world is for everyone, borders are just there to separate hard workers from the lazy one’s.
Namibia can have him. We have too many of these unemployed nonentities masquerading as footballers.
when you are finished like kalu you regret the move.Even those big names playing in the english league they dont look forward to staying in UK for good, home is home youngman,just make your money and return to zambia to enjoy it.
FAZ and the NSCZ has to have policy to regulate and monitor all the Zambian players around the world. In most of the Southern Africa countries we have Zambian coaches coaching at club level, why can’t FAZ ask these coaches to monitor and recommend Zambian players that are doing well? If FAZ can around up Zambian players playing outside Zambia (those that are not considered in the national team) and have them play the current national team so that they can have a wide selection, bring competition to all the 3 national teams and then classify them as B team or reserve teams. In soccer the highest appreciation you can get as player is to don the national colors but if you not invited what do you expect? I really don’t blame Chilufya because no one has ever invited him to play for under 20, 23 and the senior national team. So Chilufya do what you think is right man. But then its so disappointing for Ben Bamfuchile for not recommending this guy to the under 23 coach and have him checked.
Muleken m’fana akule azionele, let’s rather keep our fingers crossed for a patriotic chris “Tsunami” katongo who is about to make history in south africa by becoming the first player ever to take the golden boots after just playing exactly half the league. this is a man who has shown that he has passion for Zed. not bums like sata. finish.
Chilufya just make sure you are making the right decision. And a piece of advice dot relinguish your Zambian citizenship. You never know what the future holds.
no
Of all the countries; Namibia. What has gone wrong with Chilufya. There are only three countries in southern Africa with good football standards and these include Zambia, your country. The other two are SA and Angola. Don’t be afriad of facing competition in Zambia you have done enough in Namibia its time for you to come back and win the Chipolopolo jersey instead of playing for leagues that are non-existent. Apart from within Namibia, where else will the Namibian jersey take you to. No where. Not even the Africa cup. So you will become a national team player for Namibian faces only. No real exposure. Sorry Mr new Namibian
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