Albert Kangwanda

Albert Kangwanda
Personal information
Date of birth (1999-04-07) 7 April 1999 (age 25)
Place of birth Luanshya, Zambia
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Red Arrows (on loan from Al-Hilal Omdurman)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2018 Red Arrows
2019–2020 Kafue Celtic
2020–2021 Zanaco
2021–2022 Kafue Celtic
2022–2023 Gorica 0 (0)
2022 → Hrvatski Dragovoljac (loan) 4 (0)
2023 Red Arrows
2023– Al-Hilal Omdurman
2024– → Red Arrows (loan)
International career‡
Zambia U20
2020– Zambia 12 (5)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 24 May 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 24 May 2024

Albert Kangwanda Jr (born 7 April 1999) is a Zambian footballer who plays as a forward for Red Arrows on loan from Al-Hilal Omdurman.

Club career

He started his career in Young Nkwazi. Following a stint in the Zambian Super League with Red Arrows in 2017 and 2018, he moved down to the second tier with Kafue Celtic.[1]

In the summer of 2022, Kangwanda signed for Croatia's HNK Gorica.[2] He was loaned out to NK Hrvatski Dragovoljac in Croatia's second tier, playing 4 games, but chose to return to Zambia and Red Arrows in early 2023. Said Kangwanda; "I was so far away from home; it was very difficult to adapt, and then you are back, your family is close, and your friends are close; it’s always motivating".[3][4]

In the summer of 2023 he went on to Libyan club Al-Hilal Omdurman.[5] In the spring of 2024 he re-signed with Red Arrows, this time on loan.[6]

International career

Internationally, Kangwanda represented Zambia U20 in the 2018 COSAFA U-20 Cup and the 2019 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualification.[1] Following a failed attempt at the 2022 African Nations Championship qualification, Kangwanda won the 2022 COSAFA Cup with Zambia, and was described as a hero after his performance in the final.[7][8] He scored three goals at the 2023 COSAFA Cup, helping Zambia win back-to-back titles, whilst also becoming joint top goalscorer of the tournament.[5][9]

References

  1. ^ a b "Albert Kangwanda: The next big thing". ZamFoot. 9 April 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Croatian side Gorica unveil Albert Kangwanda". ZamFoot. 4 August 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  3. ^ Mwila, RIchard (20 January 2023). "Kangwanda explains why he failed to adapt in Europe after just four months". Bola News. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  4. ^ Albert Kangwanda at Soccerway. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Kangwanda joins Al Hilal SC on 4 year deal". ZamFoot. 30 July 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  6. ^ "Albert Kangwanda returns to Red Arrows on loan". SABC Sport. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  7. ^ "Cosafa hero Kangwanda off to Croatia to join Gorica". ZamFoot. 2 August 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  8. ^ Miyoba, Michael (3 August 2022). "Albert Kangwanda treks to Europe". Daily Nation. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  9. ^ "Albert Kangwanda". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 24 May 2024.