In between the playing fields of St Thomas More school to the baking sun of the African continent, Frankie Musonda has enjoyed a rollercoaster ride through the ranks of professional football.
Making the step up to the senior ranks of Luton Town in 2015 after a youth career that spanned almost a decade at Kenilworth Road, Musonda has since played at National League level for the likes of Oxford City and Hemel Hempstead.
However, in 2020, Scottish side Raith Rovers came knocking and Musonda has forged a career in the second tier of Scottish football ever since.
Last season, Musonda made 30 appearances for Ayr United, missing out on promotion to the Scottish Premier League by just five points in a solid campaign for the defender which has seen him called up to the Zambia squad for the African Cup of Nations in January 2024.
Top of the group
In topping Group H in qualifying, that included African powerhouses Ivory Coast, Zambia secured a spot in the winter tournament with one game to spare, beating the host nation 3-0.
A pair of victories against Lesotho and a 2-1 victory against Comoros since June 2022 helped propel ‘The Chipolopolo’ to twelve points from five games and into the main draw which will take place on 12th October.
The tournament, which used to be played in the Winter affecting the participation of top African players in Europe’s biggest leagues, was moved to the Summer months in 2019 to avoid conflict with the likes of the Premier League.
However, the African Cup of Nations – or AFCON for short – was moved back to the Winter this season after concerns were raised about the temperatures in the West African nation of Ivory Coast.
For Musonda, who qualifies for Zambia through his Father, it provides a unique opportunity to play at one of the world’s largest and most popular tournaments.
Commenting on Twitter after Zambia’s 3-0 victory that confirmed qualification, Musonda was clearly soaking up the occasion and looking forward to what the future may bring.
“What an atmosphere we had yesterday. [Its] moments like these I feel so fortunate to be be a part of and I will never take it for granted.”
It will kick off what Frankie will hope is a successful 2024, where swapping the icy cold air of Ayr in January for the heat of West Africa will just be the beginning of what will be a superb experience for the Bedfordian centre back.
