Zesco to release Milanzi

Zambia Premier League giants Zesco United have decided against signing permanently former Malawi Under-17 captain Luka Milanzi who was on a season-long loan from TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Zesco public relations officer Katebe Chengo confirmed in a telephone interview from Kitwe on Wednesday that Milanzi would soon be on his way back to Mazembe who reports reaching The Nation suggest are in turn also considering on selling the player to a Mozambican side.

“He is supposed to go back to Congo and I don’t know when. We are neither extending his loan spell nor signing him permanently. He is an average midfielder like any other,” Chengo said when asked to rate the 2010 TNM Super League joint top scorer.

In a recent interview from Zambia, Milanzi said he was awaiting his manager Andre Mtine’s direction on the next course of action. Milanzi signed a three-year deal with Mazembe who also recently captured deposed Flames skipper Joseph Kamwendo.

Milanzi who left Malawi for Mazembe at the peak of his career before the issue of his under declared age prevented the Congolese from signing him as a professional player. He was then deemed to be 16 hence, only penned a professional deal last year, paving way for his loan move to Zesco in February this year.

Milanzi made few substitute appearances for Zesco who have on their website since announced the recruitment of six new local players to reinforce the squad in preparation for CAF Confederations cup and FAZ/MTN 2014 season.

“We have a good team at the moment, perhaps the best squad in the country. But a big club such as Zesco United will always look to add some quality every season and when we get the right players we will definitely add to the group we currently have,” Zesco general secretary Justin Mumba was quoted as saying on the website.

Zesco were runners-up to champions Nkana after losing the title on the final day when they finished with 57 points, two adrift of winners Nkana who had 59 points.