Club: Ekhaya FC
National Team: Malawi U17
Position: Central Midfield
Age: December 15, 2009

Player Summary

James Lumbe is one of the standout prospects of the Malawi U17 generation. He delivered several decisive performances at the COSAFA U17 Cup, including goals, MVP mentions, and consistent influence on games. His profile is rare for the African market, a blend of physical dominance, technical quality, creativity, and verticality, strongly resembling an early Yaya Touré type, but with a more offensive instinct.

Technical Profile

• Technically excellent player with high-level ball control, both in driving runs and in his first touch.
• Very creative in the final third, able to find solutions under pressure and progress the game vertically.
• Strong 1v1 ability, using body strength, rhythm changes, and dribbling to break lines.
• Clean and stable passing, especially in transition.
• Capable of carrying the ball for long distances and initiating fast attacks.

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Physical Profile

• Physically strong and powerful, already built like a “modern box-to-box midfielder.”
• Uses his body extremely well to protect the ball, dominate in duels, and push through contact.
• Good balance and coordination, with an explosive first step.
• His physical base suggests a very high ceiling with professional conditioning.

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Tactical Profile

• Mostly operates as an attacking midfielder or advanced box-to-box player.
• Shows excellent instincts arriving from deep, making him a consistent threat inside the box.
• Provides progression through dribbling or vertical passing, valuable for teams built on transition play.
• Shows work rate and commitment in defensive phases, especially against stronger opposition.

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Mental Profile

• Plays with confidence and responsibility, demands the ball in important moments.
• Already decisive at international youth level (COSAFA U17).
• Shows leadership tendencies and emotional stability for his age.

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