British-born defender of Zambian descent, Jadel Katongo, and the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) have resumed talks for a potential switch of his international allegiance, three years after turning down a call-up in March 2023 for the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Footy-Africa can reveal.
Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant on Thursday confirmed the development.
“Well, he is interested. He wants to play for Zambia,” Grant exclusively told Footy Africa.
Footy-Africa understands that Katongo’s father, a Zambian, is keen on his son playing for the Chipolopolo Boys, and Grant wants it to happen as soon as possible.
In 2023, BolaNews reported that Katongo’s naturalization process stalled because his handlers were skeptical. At the time, his agent was understood to be weighing the options, as the defender was widely regarded as a prospect for England’s Three Lions.
“Well, the boy is interested to play for Zambia, but his agent is skeptical about him switching allegiance to Zambia. They are the ones delaying the process,” a source at Zambia’s Football House was quoted as saying.
Katongo, who was born in the United Kingdom to a British mother and Zambian father, plays for Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad (EDS).
The 20-year-old defender made his debut for Manchester City in a pre-season clash with Celtic in North Carolina. He later featured for Pep Guardiola’s side in a December 2022 friendly against Girona.
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Katongo featured regularly for Manchester City’s Under-18s in the 2020/21 season as the youngest member of the squad, playing in key matches during their title-winning campaign.
The following year, he made 18 appearances as City retained the Under-18 Premier League trophy and also made his debut at Elite Development Squad (EDS) level.
He spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Peterborough United, where he made 43 appearances, helped the club lift the EFL Trophy in April 2024, and featured in their League One Play-off at Wembley.
Ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, Katongo rejoined Peterborough on loan for a second successive season, making 23 appearances across League One, the FA Cup, and the EFL Trophy — which the Posh won again.
