Football
Exclusive: Lahne Earger to Play for Zambia Despite Delayed Switch
Swedish striker Jack Kalichi Lahne expressed his desire to represent Zambia despite delays in his international switch. With a background of being born to Zambian parents and later adopted by a Swedish couple, Lahne has had loan spells at various clubs and is currently playing for a Norwegian team. While he has been in contact with the Football Association of Zambia, he is still waiting to finalize paperwork before potentially joining the national team.
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Despite his delayed international switch to Zambia, Swedish striker Jack Kalichi Lahne tells SportsBoom.com that he is keen to represent his native country.
After four years on loan and a lengthy injury, the 23-year-old returned to his original club, Amiens SC, last year and even played in the French Ligue 2 before being loaned to Norwegian team Egersund IK until December 31, 2024.
He has played 14 games for the Norwegian second division side, scoring twice and assisting twice.
LAHNE’S BACKGROUND
Lahne was born to Zambian parents, but when his mother died, he was adopted by a Swedish couple at the age of four.
He joined Amiens on loan in January 2019 until the end of the 2018-19 Ligue 1 season, and then secured a permanent contract. In November 2019, he debuted for Amiens and scored his first Ligue 1 goal against Montpellier.
Lahne was later loaned to Swedish Allsvenskan champions, AIK, until July 31, 2019. Since then, Amiens has loaned him to Swedish clubs Örebro SK and Häcken, and Hungarian club Újpest.
Lahne has been in contact with the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) and Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant since last year, but there has been no progress.
“I have been in touch with the Zambian FA and the coach, but its been little talk, nothing much,” he told SportsBoom.com. “I really want to play for the country I was born in. Yeah. It's such a thing I really want to do.”
He also revealed that his Swedish parents are in support of his decision to play for Zambia. “If I got called up to Zambia's national team, I know my mom would be happy because she understands. She'll be as happy. Like say, it doesn't matter which country I pray for as long as I play and do what I love.”
FAZ COMMENT
When contacted for a comment, FAZ stated that they had spoken with the player, but he needed to finalize his paperwork before the coach could contact him.
"We have contacted him, but he needs to complete his paperwork,” a FAZ official confirmed to SportsBoom.com, adding that the coach has also reached out to him.
Lahne verified that he had an old Zambian passport that needs to be replaced and that he has already applied for a replacement while waiting for feedback.
It remains to be seen whether Grant will give him a call-up once he is eligible to play for Zambia.
Calvin Kaumba Chikenge is a renowned multimedia sports journalist from Zambia, known for his in-depth reporting and captivating feature stories. With eight years of experience in the field, he has built a reputation for telling unique stories that resonate with audiences both locally and globally. His talent and dedication were recognised when he was named the 2023/24 MTN/FAZ Super League Journalist of the Year, highlighting his outstanding contributions to sports journalism in Zambia.