“Luka (Lucas), according to records, was born on December 4 1994 as per Fifa records of the Fifa Under-17 World Cup, he, therefore, will only be turning 18 this December and cannot play in official matches of Mazembe,†Sapao said through an e-mail.
With this development, it means Milanzi was 15 when he represented Malawi Under-17 in the 2009 Africa Youth Championship.
Mazembe’s clarification seems to have been triggered by some media inquiries.
“He is in the Mazembe Under-20 squad under the guidance of Regis Laguesse. He will be heading to Europe on April 29 for the summer tournaments. As he is below 18, he cannot play in any official matches because an International Transfer Certificate cannot be offered,†said Sapao.
According to a translation from Mazembe’s French website www.tpmazembe.com Milanzi will make the Europe trip to participate in the 10-team 74th Blue Stars/Fifa Youth Cup from May 16-17 2012.
Other participating youth teams are FC Porto (2011 winners, Portugal), Zenit St. Petersburg (Russia), Borussia Monchengladbach (Germany), Panathinaikos Athens (Greece), TP Mazembe (DR Congo), Besiktas Istanbul (Turkey), BSC Young Boys Bern (Switzerland), FC Zurich (Switzerland), Grasshopper Club Zurich (Switzerland) and FC Blue Stars (organiser, Switzerland).
