Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns have been unsuccessful in their attempts to sign promising Zambian teenage forward Lameck Banda after he impressed during his trial with the African Champions.
Banda, 16, has attracted widespread interest in his services since breaking into the Nkwazi FC first-team in the Zambian top-flight.
Currently with the Zambia U20 side preparing for the COSAFA Cup, the 16-year-old forward has already been called up to the senior national team breaking the record of legendary forward Kalusha Bwalya as the youngest ever call-up.
However, his agent Mike Ngobeni of M-Sports Management confirmed the player can only join the Brazilians in January 2019, due to the rulings of FIFA over minors.
"The boy is now back with his team, Nkwazi FC, in Zambia. Sundowns wanted to sign him but rules prevented him from signing," he told IOL website.
"The boy is still a minor according to Fifa rules and he cant be transferred. As a result, Sundowns have decided that they will monitor him until he turns 18.
"The boy will turn 17 in January and after next year he can come back to Sundowns."