Golden Mashata

Last updated
Golden Mashata
Personal information
Full name Yamikani Golden Mashata
Date of birth (2001-01-29) 29 January 2001 (age 24)
Height 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Hapoel Ra'anana
(on loan from Green Buffaloes)
Number 14
Youth career
FORSTER
Happy Hearts
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2019– Green Buffaloes
2025– → Hapoel Ra'anana (loan) 2 (0)
International career‡
2018–2020 Zambia U20
2022–2023 Zambia U23
2023– Zambia 9 (2)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia
COSAFA Cup
Winner 2023 South Africa
COSAFA U-20 Cup
Winner 2019 Zambia
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 09:05, 1 September 2025 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 09:05, 1 September 2025 (UTC)

Yamikani Golden Mashata (born 29 January 2001) is a Zambian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Liga Leumit club Hapoel Ra'anana, on loan from Zambia Super League club Green Buffaloes, and the Zambia national team.

Contents

Early life and youth career

Mashata grew up in Chainda, [a] where he began playing football at age eight with a club called FORSTER. Shortly thereafter, he joined the Happy Hearts FC under-10 squad to challenge himself and walked to his training sessions until he graduated from the under-14s. At that point, Mashata was invited by his coach to live with him to avoid his long walks to practice. He became a prolific goalscorer and even trialled with a club in Italy, which he could not join because it did not have a youth academy. [2]

Mashata also played with Lusaka Youth Soccer Academy in tournaments such as the Gothia Cup in Sweden, the Dana Cup in Denmark, and the Paris Cup in France. [2] [3]

Club career

Mashata signed with Zambia Super League side Green Buffaloes at the suggestion of his youth national team manager, Charles Bwale, who also served as an assistant coach for the club. He described his debut season as "sour and sweet at the same time" because he was on the first team despite not getting much playing time. [2]

In July 2025, Mashata was loaned to Israeli club Hapoel Ra'anana of the second-tier Liga Leumit on a one-year deal with an option to buy. [4]

International career

Youth teams

Following his performances at several youth club tournaments in Europe, Mashata was called up to the Zambia national under-20 team by manager Charles Bwale for the 2018 COSAFA U-20 Cup. [2] [5] Zambia suffered a 1–2 defeat to Angola in the third-place play-off. [6] Mashata earned another call-up to the Zambia U20s the following year for the 2019 COSAFA U-20 Cup. [7] He was instrumental in helping his side win the tournament, [4] which they concluded with a 3–0 win over South Africa in the final. [8] Mashata was called up for a third time ahead of the 2020 COSAFA U-20 Cup. In their opening match, he scored the lone goal in a 1–0 win over Namibia and was named the man of the match. [9] Zambia finished in fourth place after losing to Angola in the third-place playoff. [10]

In October 2022, Mashata was called up to the national under-23 football team for the second round of 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualification, where they faced Sierra Leone. [11] In the away leg, he won a penalty by drawing a foul in the 88th minute, which was converted by teammate Joshua Mutale to secure a 1–1 draw. [12] Mashata then started in the home leg a week later, which Zambia won 1–0 to advance to the final round. [13] He earned another call-up to the Zambia U23s the following March for their third round tie against Egypt. [14] Mashata served as team captain for the Junior Chipolopolo, [15] [16] though they lost 0–2 on aggregate and failed to qualify for the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations. [17]

Senior team

In June 2023, Mashata was named to a 30-man provisional squad for the senior national team ahead of the 2023 COSAFA Cup. [18] He made his senior international debut for Zambia during a friendly against Kuwait on 12 June 2023, [19] coming on for Amity Shamende in the 62nd minute of a 0–3 defeat. [20] Mashata featured in their final tuneup game the following week, a 1–3 friendly loss to the Morocco U23s. [21] [b] He made his COSAFA Cup debut in Zambia's opening match, a 0–1 defeat to Malawi. [19] In their next match, Mashata supplied the game-winning assist to Albert Kangwanda in a 2–1 win over the Comoros. [22] He followed this up by scoring a goal and delivering an assist to Fredrick Mulambia in a 4–2 win over Seychelles. [23] Mashata scored again in the semifinals, netting his side's first goal to spark a 2–1 comeback win over South Africa. [24] He started in the final, helping Zambia defeat Lesotho 1–0 to claim their record seventh COSAFA Cup title. [25]

In December 2023, Mashata was included in a 55-man provisional squad ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. [26] However, he was not selected to the final squad. [27] In March 2024, Mashata was called up for the 2024 Four Nations Football Tournament held in Malawi. [28] He played in both of Zambia's matches as they finished in third place. [29] [30]

In December 2024, Mashata was named to a 33-man provisional squad for a pair of 2024 African Nations Championship qualifying matches against Mozambique. [31] Following the first week of training camp, he was named to a trimmed 28-man squad by manager Wedson Nyirenda. [32] However, Zambia automatically qualified for the final tournament after Mozambique withdrew from the qualifiers due to post-election violence. [33] In January 2025, Mashata was named to a 30-man provisional squad for the African Nations Championship. [34] However, the tournament was then postponed.

In May 2025, Mashata was named to a 35-man Zambian provisional squad ahead of the 2025 COSAFA Cup. [35] He appeared in one match against Botswana as Zambia suffered a group stage exit. [19] [36]

Player profile

Mashata is employed as a winger or midfielder, [2] [37] though he can also play as a defender, such as during 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. [12] He has been described as "pacey and tricky", [2] as well as a "wing wizard". [11]

Personal life

Mashata, who is religious, takes inspiration from his mother, who he said "has fought numerous battles in her life". [38]

Career statistics

International

As of match played 30 August 2025 [19]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Zambia
202362
202420
202410
Total92
Scores and results list Zambia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Mashata goal.
List of international goals scored by Golden Mashata
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetitionRef.
111 July 2023 Princess Magogo Stadium, KwaMashu, South AfricaFlag of Seychelles.svg  Seychelles 3–04–2 2023 COSAFA Cup [39]
214 July 2023 King Zwelithini Stadium, Umlazi, South AfricaFlag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 1–12–12023 COSAFA Cup [40]

Honours

Zambia U20
Zambia

References

  1. ↑ Chainda is one of several shanty towns located on the outskirts of the capital city, Lusaka. [1]
  2. ↑ This was not considered a full international match by FIFA.
  1. ↑ "Perspective: 50 Years of Zambia: Ode to the Concrete Block". Zambian Eye. 27 August 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Heart to Heart with Mashata…From walking to training to playing for Green Buffaloes". ZamFoot. 14 September 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2025.[ dead link ]
  3. ↑ "Lusaka Youth Soccer Academy | Gothia Cup 2018". Gothia Cup . Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  4. 1 2 Mubanga, Aaron (14 July 2025). "Mashata joins Hapoel Ranaana on loan". ZamFoot. Retrieved 28 August 2025.[ dead link ]
  5. ↑ "Bwale names 2018 COSAFA U20 Cup team". Lusaka Times. 28 November 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  6. ↑ "South Africa retain COSAFA Under-20 Championship title with shoot-out win". COSAFA. 13 December 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  7. ↑ "Zambia name final squad for COSAFA Under-20 Championships". COSAFA. 25 November 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  8. ↑ Said, Nick (14 December 2019). "Zambia too good for Amajita in Cosafa U-20 final". TimesLIVE . Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  9. ↑ "COSAFA U-20: Zambia's title defense off to a winning start". ZamFoot. 4 December 2020. Archived from the original on 26 January 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  10. ↑ "COSAFA U-20: Prince Mumba named player of the tournament as Zambia settle for 4th place". ZamFoot. 13 December 2020. Archived from the original on 22 May 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  11. 1 2 "Mashata, Mutale, and Mukeya lead Mutapa's 28-member squad". ZamFoot. 5 October 2022. Archived from the original on 11 July 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  12. 1 2 "Zambia U-23 snatch late away draw in Monrovia". ZamFoot. 23 October 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2025.[ dead link ]
  13. ↑ "U-23 AFCONQS: Zambia through to final round". ZamFoot. 29 October 2022. Archived from the original on 29 October 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  14. ↑ "U23 AFCONQS: Mutale, Mashata, and Andrew Phiri lead Mutapa's final squad". ZamFoot. 16 March 2023. Archived from the original on 2 December 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  15. ↑ "Zambia Under-23 suffer defeat to Egypt". ZamFoot. 22 March 2023. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  16. ↑ Mbabala, John (2 August 2023). "YAMIKANI GOLDEN MASHATTA [sic] INSPIRED BY COSAFA SUCCESS". Zedsport. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  17. ↑ "U-23 : Zambia fail to qualify at the last hurdle". ZamFoot. 27 March 2023. Archived from the original on 21 April 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  18. ↑ "Local Chipolopolo to face Kuwait in Egypt". ZamFoot. 3 June 2023. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  19. 1 2 3 4 "Golden Mashata". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  20. ↑ "Kuwait humiliate Zambia B in a friendly". ZamFoot. 12 June 2023. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  21. ↑ "Morocco youngsters smash Zambia B". ZamFoot. 19 June 2023. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  22. ↑ "Zambia bounce back with victory over Comoros". SuperSport . 9 July 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  23. ↑ "Zambia prove too strong for Seychelles". SuperSport . 11 July 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  24. ↑ "Zambia edge Bafana to claim Cosafa Cup final berth". SuperSport . 14 July 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  25. ↑ "Zambia claim record seventh Cosafa Cup title". SuperSport . 16 July 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  26. ↑ "Zambia's Avram Grant names 55-man provisional squad". Africa Top Sports. 14 December 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  27. ↑ Mubanga, Aaron (30 December 2023). "Kennedy, Miguel and Tandi make the cut as Grant Names 27-Member AFCON Crack Squad". ZamFoot. Archived from the original on 30 December 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  28. ↑ Malulu, Julius (13 March 2024). "Mashata thrilled to play with Daka as he eyes Chipolopolo debut". Bolanews. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  29. ↑ Mabuka, Dennis (23 March 2024). "Zambia's Chipolopolo suffer penalty heartache at the hands of Zimbabwe". Africa Top Sports. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  30. ↑ Mlanjira, Duncan (26 March 2024). "Flames concede two goals in one minute against Zambia to lose 1-2 in 4-Nations third place play-off". Maravi Express. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  31. ↑ "Nyirenda unveil Zambia squad for 2024 CHAN qualifiers". Africa Top Sports. 3 December 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  32. ↑ "Zambia steps up preparations for CHAN game against Mozambique". Africa Top Sports. 7 December 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  33. ↑ Sichula, Mike (15 December 2024). "Zambia Qualifies For CHAN After Mozambique Withdrawal". Bolanews. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  34. ↑ Chama, Lucky (3 January 2025). "Mashata reacts to national team call-up for CHAN". Bolanews. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  35. ↑ Mabuka, Dennis (23 May 2025). "Nyirenda unveils provisional Zambia squad for COSAFA tournament". Africa Top Sports. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  36. ↑ Miyanda, George (11 June 2025). "Zambia exits COSAFA tournament". Lusaka Star. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  37. ↑ "Mashata targets COSAFA gold in debut tournament". ZamFoot. 15 July 2023. Archived from the original on 9 December 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  38. ↑ Mbabala, John (31 October 2023). "GOLDEN MASHATA TARGETS GOLDEN BOOT AND LEAGUE TITLE". Zedsport. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  39. ↑ "Seychelles vs. Zambia". National Football Teams. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  40. ↑ "South Africa vs. Zambia". National Football Teams. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
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