Mazembe clear Milanzi

Congolese giants TP Mazembe have granted striker Luka Milanzi one-year loan clearance to Mighty Wanderers, ending six months of inactivity and igniting hope for the wasted football gem.

Milanzi confirmed in an interview from Lubumbashi over the weekend that he had a successful meeting with the Congolese giant’s president, Moses Katumbi, on Friday, paving the way for his release.

“The president wanted to know why I want to play in Malawi and I told him that I wanted to regain match fitness. He then accepted my request and challenged me to work hard, reclaim my national team place, saying I was among the new generation of players the team hopes to build on from next season when I rejoin Mazembe,” said the former Escom United forward.

Milanzi, who was forced back to Mazembe after failing to secure his release while in Malawi, was drafted into Mazembe development side for two seasons before being loaned out to Zesco of Zambia where he also struggled last season.

Wanderers’ vice-general secretary Chris Kananji confirmed in a telephone interview yesterday that Milanzi was handed the clearance and he was in Zambia waiting to proceed to Malawi.

“He just need transport money which we will send him,” said Kananji.

Before Milanzi signed a five-year contract with Mazembe in 2010, he had captained Malawi Under-17 to the 2009 Africa Youth Championship in Algeria.

At the World Youth Championship in Nigeria, Milanzi was the only scorer in games against Saudi Arabia, the United States and Spain in a tournament that featured players such as Neymar Junior, Mario Gotze and Isco who are now world stars.

Milanzi was also the Super League joint top scorer on 17 goals with Chikondi Mpulula whose career too has taken a reverse gear.

Mpulula last played for Evirom last season and hardly scored. Mazembe is also home to Flames midfielder Joseph Kamwendo.