Lucky Mkosana Called into Zimbabwe Camp
August 28, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
HARRISBURG, Pa. - Penn FC's leading scorer Lucky Mkosana has been called into the Zimbabwe National Football Team's camp.
Mkosana, who has scored nine goals for Rush Soccer's First Team so far this season, will have the chance to earn his first cap at the senior international level on Sunday, Sept. 9 when Zimbabwe takes on Congo.
"It's something that I always wanted as a kid growing up and I feel like, and my parents too I think, that they are really, really proud for this call up because I know my dad has been hoping that one day it would happen," Mkosana said. "And for me, I think it's the ultimate goal for any professional athlete to be called up and represent their country.
"So, for me it's an honor and I'm really grateful for that."
The forward found out the good news on a phone call from manager Sunday Chidzambwa.
"The manager called me and asked me if is this is something that I want to do. And then of course and this is something that I've always dreamed of and that I couldn't let this opportunity pass by," Mkosana said. "And for me, it's one of those things that I'm going to give it my all and make sure it's worth it."
Mkosana will leave Harrisburg for Zimbabwe on Monday, following Sunday's match at Bethlehem Steel FC and he will train with the national team in Harare before traveling to Congo for the match in Brazzaville.
That match will be the second of six for Zimbabwe in Group G of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification tournament.
Zimbabwe is grouped with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Congo and Liberia and after a double round-robin, the top two teams in the group will advance to the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Warriors won their first match of the group 3-0 against Liberia thanks to a hat trick from Knowledge Musona, a former academy teammate of Mkosana's. Another former teammate, Khama Billiat was also listed on the provisional roster that was released earlier in the month.
"Before I came to the U.S.,I was in an academy and there are some guys that are going to be on the team that I played with in the academy," Mkosana said. "Two of them, Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat, one of them plays in South Africa and the other plays in Germany, we used to play together up front and I think it's going to be a good reunion, and to see if we stick with the combination, but I'm looking forward to it."
Mkosana will likely miss two Penn FC home matches and return to Harrisburg after Penn FC's match on Sept. 12.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 28, 2018
- Nashville SC Heads into Playoff Picture in 4-0 Rout: Nissan Recap - Nashville SC
- Kickers Drop Road Match in Nashville - Richmond Kickers
- Former Republic FC Midfielder Rodrigo Lopez Returning to Sacramento for Fan Events on September 8 - Sacramento Republic FC
- Lights FC to Begin Selecting Participants for $5,000 Helicopter Cash Drop, September 8 at Cashman Field - Las Vegas Lights FC
- All-League Veteran Signs with Independence - Charlotte Independence
- USL Discipline Report - Week 25 - USL
- Austin Bold FC Signs Promise Isaac - Austin Bold FC
- Lucky Mkosana Called into Zimbabwe Camp - Penn FC
- San Antonio FC Travels to Face RGV FC in South Texas Derby - San Antonio FC
- Steinberger Selected to USL Team of the Week - North Carolina FC
- FCC's Albadawi Earns Spot on USL Team of the Week - FC Cincinnati
- Tom Barlow Named USL Player of the Week - New York Red Bulls II
- New York's Barlow Voted USL Player of the Week - USL
- Steel FC Duo Earn USL Team of the Week Accolades - Philadelphia Union II
- Roughnecks Return to Action Wednesday against Swope Park - FC Tulsa
- Preview: Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at Indy Eleven - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Guerra, Hackshaw Selected for Trinidad and Tobago Friendly - Charleston Battery
- USL's Week Ahead - August 28-September 3, 2018 - USL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
