Davies Nkausu

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Davies Nkausu

| image =

| fullname =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1986|01|01}}

| birth_place = Lusaka, Zambia

| height = 1.73 m

| position = Defender

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 = 2002–2003

| youthclubs1 = Chiparamba Great Eagles

| years1 = 2003–2008

| clubs1 = Pretoria University

| caps1 = 101

| goals1 = 4

| years2 = 2008–2014

| clubs2 = SuperSport United

| caps2 = 41

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2014–2015

| clubs3 = Bloemfontein Celtic

| caps3 = 19

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2015–2017

| clubs4 = Free State Stars

| caps4 = 22

| goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2017–2018

| clubs5 = University of Pretoria

| caps5 = 17

| goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2018–2019

| clubs6 = Baroka

| caps6 = 0

| goals6 = 0

| nationalyears1 = 2002

| nationalteam1 = Zambia U-17

| nationalcaps1 =

| nationalgoals1 =

| nationalyears2 = 2003–04

| nationalteam2 = Zambia U-20

| nationalcaps2 =

| nationalgoals2 =

| nationalyears3 = 2007

| nationalteam3 = Zambia U-23

| nationalcaps3 =

| nationalgoals3 =

| nationalyears4 = 2008–2016

| nationalteam4 = Zambia

| nationalcaps4 = 32

| nationalgoals4 = 0

| club-update = 1 May 2023

}}

Davies Nkausu (born 1 January 1986) is a Zambian professional footballer who played as a defender in South Africa.

Born in Lusaka and playing for the Zambia national football team, Nkausu has spent all of his club career in South Africa.[http://www.zambianfootball.net/2011/12/01/quiet-night-for-sa-stars-as-mweene-keeps-a-clean-sheet/ Quiet night for SA stars as Mweene keeps a clean sheet] ZambianFootball.net. 1 December 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2012.

Nkausu played youth football for {{ill|Chiparamba Great Eagles|sv}} before joining Pretoria University FC in 2003, and has also represented Zambia internationally at various youth levels, including captaining the country's under-20 team, before graduating to the senior side in 2008.

Club career

=Chiparamba Great Eagles=

{{Quote box | width=20% | align=left | quote= "The boys have been with the U-17 and U-19 teams, they have been outgoing and accepted into the group. The experience and the exposure they are getting is wonderful and I don't think they'll be the same when they return to Zambia. They have had conversations with Roy Keane and Ole Solskjaer over lunch." |source= Chiparamba academy director Nenani

Banda, on Nkausu and Yobe's trial with Manchester United.[http://www.manchesterunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/zambian_duo_on_extended_training_period_96599/index.shtml Zambian Duo on Extended Training Period] ManchesterUnited-mad.co.uk. 28 March 2003. Retrieved 2 February 2012. }}

Nkausu was born in Lusaka, Zambia. He began his career with Chiparamba in his native Zambia in 2002. In March 2003, Nkausu and Chiparamba teammate Dominic Yobe went on trial at English club Manchester United after being discovered by United's African scout Frank Lord, who visited Zambia in 2002. The duo became the first Zambian players to be involved with the club.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/2891711.stm Zambian pair stay at Man Utd] BBC. 27 March 2003. Retrieved 2 February 2012. The pair spent two weeks on trial, meeting first-team stars such as Phil Neville, Roy Keane and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as well as manager Sir Alex Ferguson.[http://allafrica.com/stories/200303270463.html Two Zambian players meet United stars] AllAfrica.com. Retrieved 24 December 2011.[http://www.zambianfootball.net/2010/11/23/ex-man-utd-trialist-joins-cecafa-squad/ Ex-Man Utd trialist joins Cecafa squad] Zambianfootball.net. 23 November 2010. Retrieved 24 December 2011. However, nothing came of the trial and Nkausu returned to Chiparamba.

Reflecting on the trial in May 2012, following Ferguson's retirement, Nkausu claimed that the legendary manager had likened him to then-Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira.[http://www.spyghana.com/i-was-one-time-fergies-favourite-nkausu/ Nkausu: Fergie once compared me to Vieira] MTNFootball.com. 10 May 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2013. He added that Ferguson's encouragement had given the defender the "belief that I [could] make it in football" and admitted, "if I look back, I regret not signing and staying at Old Trafford."[http://www.spyghana.com/i-was-one-time-fergies-favourite-nkausu/ Nkausu: I was one time Fergie's Favourite] SpyGhana.com. 12 May 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2013.

=Pretoria University=

Seven months after the trial with Manchester United, Nkausu left Zambia for South African National First Division club Pretoria University, with the transfer being completed on 6 October 2003.[http://www.safa.net/UserFiles/www.safa.net/FOREIGN%20PLAYERS%20FOREIGN%20PLAYERS%20IN%20SA_%20(2).pdf Foreign Players Joining South African Teams – 2002–2010] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130206213424/http://www.safa.net/UserFiles/www.safa.net/FOREIGN%20PLAYERS%20FOREIGN%20PLAYERS%20IN%20SA_%20%282%29.pdf |date=6 February 2013 }} South African Football Association. 9 September 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2012. He broke into the club's first team in the 2004–05 season, playing in twenty-nine of Pretoria's thirty-four games. Pretoria finished twelfth in 2004–05.[https://www.rsssf.org/tablesz/zaf05.html South Africa 2004–05: National First Division] RSSSF. 17 August 2005. Retrieved 28 August 2012. In 2005–06 Davies again made twenty-nine league appearances, but this time he also scored one goal. Pretoria finished in eleventh place, and Nkausu was almost ever-present in their thirty National First Division games.[https://www.rsssf.org/tablesz/zaf06.html South Africa 2005–06: National First Division] RSSSF. 7 February 2007. Retrieved 28 August 2012. Nkausu played a reduced twenty-six games in the 2006–07 season, but he scored a personal season record of three goals, which helped propel Pretoria University to a third-placed finish and a promotion playoff. Pretoria defeated Winners Park on away goals but were beaten in the playoff final by AmaZulu. Davies played fewer games still in 2007–08, making seventeen appearances as Pretoria slumped to a seventh-placed finish in the newly implemented Inland Stream.[https://www.rsssf.org/tablesz/zaf08.html South Africa 2007–08: National First Division] 4 September 2008. Retrieved 28 August 2012. The decrease in Pretoria's fortunes caused Nkausu to move to SuperSport United, who had just won the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and were therefore considered one of the best teams in South Africa.[http://www.psl.co.za/content.asp?id=16319&comp=794 Premier Soccer League: 2007–08 ABSA Premiership Standings] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008182110/http://psl.co.za/content.asp?id=16319&comp=794 |date=8 October 2010 }} Premier Soccer League. Retrieved 10 August 2012.

=SuperSport United=

Nkausu moved to SuperSport United ahead of the 2008–09 season. He had made a big leap from the lower reaches of the second division to the top of the first, and predictably made just five appearances in his debut season with the club, making his debut in the 1–0 win over Free State Stars on 30 August 2008. However, he still collected a winner's medal as SuperSport claimed a second consecutive Premier Soccer League title.{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/davis-nkausa/97940/|title=Zambia - D. Nkausu - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway|website=int.soccerway.com|language=en|access-date=28 March 2018}} Nkausu only made three appearances the following season, playing in SuperSport's victories over Free State Stars and Santos as well as the 3–0 loss to AmaZulu in March 2010.{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2010/03/06/south-africa/premier-soccer-league/amazulu/supersport-united/796871/|title=AmaZulu vs. SuperSport United - 6 March 2010 - Soccerway|website=int.soccerway.com|language=en|access-date=28 March 2018}} Again, SuperSport won the league title.

2010–11 was another frustrating season for Nkausu. He was included as a substitute in many of SuperSport's Premier Soccer League games, but was only used in two of them. He made his first appearance of the season against Orlando Pirates on 30 April 2011 in a 1–0 win.{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2011/04/30/south-africa/premier-soccer-league/orlando-pirates/supersport-united/979125/|title=Orlando Pirates vs. SuperSport United - 30 April 2011 - Soccerway|website=int.soccerway.com|language=en|access-date=28 March 2018}} His only other appearance in 2010–11 was in the 3–1 victory over Vasco da Gama on 7 May, near the end of the season.{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2011/05/07/south-africa/premier-soccer-league/supersport-united/vasco-da-gama/979135/|title=SuperSport United vs. Stellenbosch - 7 May 2011 - Soccerway|website=int.soccerway.com|language=en|access-date=28 March 2018}} On 5 August Nkausu was included in SuperSport's starting line–up for their 2011 MTN 8 quarter–final 5–2 loss to Ajax Cape Town FC. Nkausu conceded a penalty for a foul on Ajax midfielder Khama Billiat, and was later sent off for dissent after disputing the referee's decision.[http://www.kickoff.com/league/mtn8/match-report/6153/ajax-cape-town-beat-supersport-united-5-2.php Ajax Cape Town beat SuperSport United 5–2] KickOff Magazine. 5 August 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2012. The defeat eliminated SuperSport from the competition.

Part of the reason for this lack of playing time was the problem of Nkausu's South African residence permit, which he became eligible for in 2010 having spent five years in the country. In September 2010, despite agreeing a two–year contract with SuperSport, the club decided to wait until Nkausu's permit was granted until registering him, due to the PSL's limit on foreign players.[http://www.kickoff.com/news/19640/supersport-united-sign-grant-kekana-from.php SuperSport United sign Grant Kekana from Tuks] KickOff Magazine. 12 January 2011. Retrieved 2 February 2012. Nkausu said "I have signed a new two-year contract here but the condition is that it will become effective the moment I can be registered as a non-foreign player, that is after I get my permanent residency. Right now I am waiting for the papers to be issued so that I can at least start being available for selection because as we speak I am not even registered...Last season I was still registered as a foreigner but this time around I have to be a non-foreigner."[http://www.kickoff.com/features/17896/davis-nkausu-waits-for-permanent-residence.php Davis Nkausu waits for permanent residence] KickOff Magazine. 22 September 2010. Retrieved 2 February 2012. Nkausu finally received his residence permit in March 2011, commenting "The paperwork was completed three days ago and I'm just waiting for my Identity Document now. Just when I thought it would not go through, it finally happened". This allowed Nkausu to be considered non–foreign, opening up another foreign space for manager Gavin Hunt.[http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=18889 Defender Nkausu gets permanent SA residency] Zambia Post. 10 March 2011. Retrieved 2 February 2012.

Nkausu made his first appearance in the 2011–12 Premier Soccer League in SuperSport's 2–0 win against Platinum Stars on 25 September 2011.[https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2011/09/25/south-africa/premier-soccer-league/supersport-united/platinum-stars/1156377/ Supersport United vs. Platinum Stars – 25 September 2011 – Soccerway] He then followed this up by playing the full game against Maritzburg United on 14 October 2011, which SuperSport won 7–0. Nkausu had a run of first-team games in November and December 2011, playing six consecutive matches, with SuperSport keeping three clean sheets in this time.[https://int.soccerway.com/players/davis-nkausa/97940/ Zambia – D.Nkausu – Profile] Soccerway. Retrieved 23 December 2011.

Nkausu featured in SuperSport's 2–1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in the semi-final of the Mopani Mayor's Charity Cup on 29 July 2012.[http://www.sufc.co.za/articles.aspx?Id=1505051 Matsatsantsa beat Sundowns in Cup, again] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819085530/http://www.sufc.co.za/articles.aspx?Id=1505051 |date=19 August 2014 }} SuperSport United F.C. 29 July 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2012. On 4 August 2012 the defender helped SuperSport reach the last four of the 2012 MTN 8, playing the full 90 minutes of the club's 2–1 quarter-final win over Free State Stars and captaining SuperSport for the first time.[http://www.sufc.co.za/articles.aspx?Id=1516251 SuperSport Utd March into Semis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819082315/http://www.sufc.co.za/articles.aspx?Id=1516251 |date=19 August 2014 }} SuperSport United F.C. 4 August 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2012.[http://www.mtnfootball.com/africa/zambia/news/2012/august/07-beaumelle-hails-captain-nkausu.html Beaumelle Hails Captain Nkausu] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060549/http://mtnfootball.com/africa/zambia/news/2012/august/07-beaumelle-hails-captain-nkausu.html |date=4 March 2016 }} MTNFootball.com. 7 August 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2012. The victory set up a semi-final clash with Orlando Pirates. Nkausu played at centre-back in SuperSport's opening 2012-13 Premier Soccer League fixture, a 1–1 draw with Ajax Cape Town on 10 August 2012.[http://www.sufc.co.za/articles.aspx?Id=1527521 United Held by Ajax in Opener] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819082417/http://www.sufc.co.za/articles.aspx?Id=1527521 |date=19 August 2014 }} SuperSport United F.C. 10 August 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012. On 19 August 2012 Nkausu played in SuperSport's 0–0 draw with Orlando Pirates in the first leg of their MTN 8 semi-final, making an important block to deny Siyabonga Sangweni in the closing stages.[http://sport.iafrica.com/news/811823.html Pirates Play to Goalless Draw] IAfrica.com. 19 August 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012. Six days later he played in SuperSport's 3–0 second-leg victory that earned them a place in the MTN 8 final.

The defender assisted Clifford Mulenga for SuperSport's third goal in a 3–0 win over AmaZulu on 15 September 2012 with a long throw-in.[http://www.football411.com/report/0,25737,14287_8081376,00.html Africa: SuperSport United 3–0 AmaZulu] Football411.com. 15 September 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2012. On 22 September Nkausu captained SuperSport in their MTN 8 cup final against Moroka Swallows; a 2–1 loss meant Nkausu and his teammates finished as tournament runners-up.[http://www.kickoff.com/news/30463/follow-mtn8-final-live-on-kickoff.com MTN8 Final – As It Happened] KickOff.com. 22 September 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2012.[http://www.mtnfootball.com/africa/south-africa/mtn8/matches/stats/2012/22-moroka-swallows-v-supersport-united.html MTN8: Moroka Swallows 2–1 SuperSport – Statistics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070720/http://mtnfootball.com/africa/south-africa/mtn8/matches/stats/2012/22-moroka-swallows-v-supersport-united.html |date=4 March 2016 }} MTNFootball.com. 22 September 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2012. An injury sustained in November limited Nkausu's playing time towards the end of 2012, and he missed further league games through his involvement in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.[http://www.sufc.co.za/articles.aspx?Id=1715294 Captain September Speaks: December 2012] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819085544/http://www.sufc.co.za/articles.aspx?Id=1715294 |date=19 August 2014 }} SuperSport United F.C. 13 December 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2013. Nkausu made his first league appearance for SuperSport for almost two months in the 1–0 loss to Orlando Pirates on 13 February 2013; he conceded a penalty for a foul on Daine Klate, although the tackle actually occurred outside of the penalty area.[http://www.football411.com/story/0,22162,14340_8499316,00.html De Sa: We Made it Tough for Ourselves] Football411.com. 14 February 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2013. Nkausu continued to feature sporadically throughout the season, and made 13 league appearances as SuperSport finished sixth. On 25 May 2013, SuperSport reached the Nedbank Cup final, losing 1–0 to Kaizer Chiefs, but Nkausu was omitted from their matchday squad.[https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/05/25/south-africa/cup/kaizer-chiefs/supersport-united/1472930 Kaizer Chiefs vs. SuperSport United – 25 May 2013] Soccerway.com. 25 May 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2013.

In July 2013, Nkausu was denied the chance to feature in SuperSport's friendly against English giants Manchester City – Manuel Pellegrini's first game in charge of the Citizens – due to injury.[http://www.thenewage.co.za/100908-10-53-Man_City_Stars_head_to_SA Man City Stars head to SA] TheNewAge.co.za. 9 July 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2013. Nkausu would go on to have a frustrating start to the season with little pitch time, even being omitted from SuperSport's CAF Confederation Cup squad. In January 2014, with Nkausu having made just eight appearances in all competitions, SuperSport CEO Stan Matthews revealed that Mpumalanga Black Aces, Ajax Cape Town and Nkausu's former club University of Pretoria had all enquired about the defender's availability.[http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/article/south-africa/psl-trio-chase-nkausu PSL Trio Chase Nkausu] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201234813/http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/article/south-africa/psl-trio-chase-nkausu |date=1 February 2014 }} SoccerLaduma. 21 January 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2014. However, on 31 January, Nkausu joined Bloemfontein Celtic on a three-and-a-half-year deal, just hours before the January transfer window slammed shut.[http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/article/south-africa/celtic-sign-nkausu/142939 Celtic Sign Nkausu] SoccerLaduma. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2014.[http://www.kickoff.com/news/41085/nkausu-to-debut-in-free-state-derby Nkausu to debut in Free State derby] KickOff.com. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2014. Nkausu's last league appearance for SuperSport came in a 2–1 loss to Ajax Cape Town on 26 November 2013; ironically, Soccer Laduma reported that he was due to play for SuperSport against University of Pretoria on the day of his transfer to Bloemfontein.[http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/article/south-africa/nkausu-set-for-celtic/142923 Nkausu set for Celtic] SoccerLaduma. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2014.

=Bloemfontein Celtic=

A day after joining Celtic, Nkausu made his debut in a 2–0 derby win at Free State Stars.[http://www.supersport.com/football/absa-premiership/news/140201/Mhango_Lamola_help_Celtic_to_derby_win Mhango, Lamola help Celtic to derby win] Supersport.com. 1 February 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2014.

=Free State Stars=

Nkausu left Free State Stars in summer 2017.[http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4682/transfer-zone/2017/06/13/36334242/free-state-stars-axe-eight-players-including-former-orlando Free State Stars axe eight players, including former Orlando Pirates midfielder Ntuli]‚ goal.com, 13 July 2017

International career

Davies has been capped by Zambia on twenty-one occasions. He made his debut for the Chipolopolo on 19 November 2008, in a 3–0 friendly loss to Morocco. Nkausu earned his second international cap in January 2009, in Zambia's 1–0 friendly defeat to South Africa. He also played in the first half of Zambia's unofficial friendly match against Power Dynamos of the Zambian Premier League in October 2011.[http://tumfweko.com/2011/10/06/classic-mbesuma-shines-in-practice-match-against-power/ Classic Mbesuma Shines In Practice Match Against Power – Tumfweko] The match was a warm-up for a game against Libya.

In December 2011 it was announced that Nkausu was included in Zambia's provisional 2012 Africa Cup of Nations squad.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/mobile/football/16301315.stm Zambia's Jacob Mulenga will miss Africa Cup of Nations] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120721131737/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/mobile/football/16301315.stm |date=21 July 2012 }} BBC Sport. 22 December 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2011. Nkausu was an unused substitute in Zambia's opening group stage match, a 2–1 win over Senegal on 21 January 2012.[http://www.cafonline.com/competition/african-cup-of-nations_2012/match1471/live/overview Match Report: Senegal 1:2 Zambia] Confederation of African Football. 21 January 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2012. Nkausu made his first appearance of the tournament in Zambia's second game, a 2–2 draw with Libya on 25 January. Nkausu came on as a second-half substitute for midfielder Chisamba Lungu.[https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084632/http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFB17263120120125 Soccer: Libya 2–2 Zambia – African Nations Cup] Reuters Africa. 25 January 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2012. He played the full ninety minutes of Zambia's final group stage game, a 1–0 win over Equatorial Guinea on 29 January 2012.[http://www.cafonline.com/competition/african-cup-of-nations_2012/match1486/live/overview Match report: Equatorial Guinea 0:1 Zambia] Confederation of African Football. 29 January 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2012. The win ensured Zambia's progress to the quarter–finals. Nkausu also played the whole of the 3–0 quarter–final win over Sudan on 4 February 2012, helping Zambia book a semi–final showdown with tournament favourites Ghana, who coach Herve Renard described as "the best team in Africa".[http://www.goal.com/en/match/75556/zambia-vs-sudan/report Match report: Zambia 3–0 Sudan] Goal.com. 5 February 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2012.[http://vibeghana.com/2012/02/06/african-cup-of-nations-renard-focused-on-ghana-litmus-test/ African Cup of Nations: Renard focused on Ghana litmus test] VibeGhana.com. 6 February 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2012.

Zambia won the semi–final 1–0 to progress to the final of the competition, against Ivory Coast. Nkausu personally had a bad start to the semi–final, giving away a penalty kick just seven minutes into the game for a foul on Ghana's Kwadwo Asamoah.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16933389 Zambia 1–0 Ghana] BBC Sport. 8 February 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2012. However, Asamoah Gyan missed the penalty and Zambia later won the game thanks to a late goal by Emmanuel Mayuka. After the game, Nkausu led his teammates in parading the Zambian flag.[https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2012/feb/09/africa-cup-of-nations-zambia Africa Cup of Nations 2012: Zambia book date with destiny] The Guardian. 9 February 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2012.

SuperSport United wished Nkausu luck on the day of the final, with a club statement claiming the Cup final would "certainly be Nkausu's biggest moment of his lifetime".[http://www.sufc.co.za/ARTICLES.ASPX?ID=1239541 Nkausu To Play In Big Maiden Cup Final] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819085521/http://www.sufc.co.za/ARTICLES.ASPX?ID=1239541 |date=19 August 2014 }} 10 February 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2012. Nkausu started the final at right–back, marking Ivory Coast's Salomon Kalou and later Max Gradel.[http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/76270/zambia-vs-ivory-coast/player-ratings Zambia vs Ivory Coast Player Ratings] Goal.com. 12 February 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2012. After a goalless ninety minutes, and with the deadlock still not broken in extra time, the final went to a penalty shoot out. Zambia eventually triumphed 8–7, with Stoppila Sunzu scoring the winning penalty.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16999874 Africa Cup of Nations: Zambia win dramatic shoot-out] BBC Sport. 12 February 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2012. Some sections of the media criticised Herve Renard for being overly harsh on Nkausu; the manager shoved the defender during the match after he suffered a lapse in concentration and allowed Gervinho to bear down on goal.[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/interviews/Emotional-Renard-boosts-Zambias-unique-spirit/articleshow/11868291.cms Emotional Renard boosts Zambia's unique spirit] The Times of India. 13 February 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2012.{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20130216012912/http://www.espnstar.com/editorial/news/detail/item918266/Wilson:-Reliving-Zambia's-historic-win/ Wilson: Reliving Zambia's Historic Win]}} ESPNStar.com. 11 January 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2013. However, Renard claimed that Nkausu and his teammates would not have been surprised or angered by the treatment, saying "For you maybe it's incredible for me to react like this, but they know me".[http://www.football365.co.za/story/0,22162,14287_7517653,00.html Renard: My players know me] Football365.co.za. 13 February 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2012.

Nkausu played in Zambia's 3–1 unofficial friendly defeat of Pretoria Academy on 29 May 2012, the game acting as a warm–up match ahead of the Chipolopolo's 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification games.[https://archive.today/20130205034411/http://www.trulyzambian.com/zambiannews/chipolopolo-win-final-practice-match-19613 Chipolopolo Win Final Practice Match] TrulyZambian.com. 29 May 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2012.

He made his first international appearance after the African Cup of Nations in a 2–0 World Cup qualifying defeat to Sudan on 2 June 2012.[https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2012/06/02/africa/wc-qualifying-africa/sudan/zambia/1227378/ Sudan vs. Zambia – 2 June 2012] Soccerway. 2 June 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2012. The defender then featured in Zambia's 1–0 win over Ghana on 9 June, coming on as an injury–time replacement for Chisamba Lungu.[https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2012/06/09/africa/wc-qualifying-africa/zambia/ghana/1227377/ Zambia vs. Ghana – 9 June 2012] Soccerway. 9 June 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2012. Despite having played 90 minutes for SuperSport just three days earlier, Nkausu was part of the Zambian squad that travelled to Seoul on 13 August 2012 for a friendly against South Korea, a match that also acted as a warm-up game for a 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Uganda in September.[http://allafrica.com/stories/201208130540.html Zambia: Showers Greet Chipolopolo in South Korea] AllAfrica.com. 13 August 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2012.[http://www.kawowo.com/index.php/football/1884-chipolopolo-warms-up-cranes-dual-with-korea-friendly.html Chipolopolo warm up for Cranes tie with South Korea friendly]{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Kawowo.com. 9 August 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2012. One of only six 2012 ACON-winning players in the squad for the friendly, Nkausu started the game against South Korea on the bench but replaced fellow full-back Joseph Musonda just 28 minutes into the match.[http://www.goal.com/en-us/match/83529/south-korea-vs-zambia/play-by-play South Korea 2–1 Zambia: Play by Play] Goal.com. 15 August 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012.

Nkausu played the entirety of Zambia's 1–0 first-leg victory over Uganda on 8 September 2012, assisting Christopher Katongo's winning goal with a long throw-in.[http://www.mtnfootball.com/africa/african-tournaments/2013-afcon-qualifiers/matches/report/sep-2012/08-zambia-v-uganda.html 2013 ACON Qualifiers: Uganda put Zambia under pressure] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912061607/http://www.mtnfootball.com/africa/african-tournaments/2013-afcon-qualifiers/matches/report/sep-2012/08-zambia-v-uganda.html |date=12 September 2012 }} MTNFootball.com. 8 September 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2012. He also started in the 1–0 second-leg defeat in Kampala on 13 October that took the tie to a penalty shoot-out; Nkausu scored his penalty, Zambia's penultimate effort, to help secure a 9–8 victory from the spot that booked the country's qualification to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.[http://www.kawowo.com/index.php/football/2369-zambia-through-to-afcon.html AFCON Qualifiers: Another Heart-Break for Uganda]{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Kawowo.com. 13 October 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2012.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19936674 Africa Cup of Nations 2013: Qualifying as it Happened] BBC Sport. 13 October 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2012. Nkausu's next international appearance came on 14 November in a 1–0 win over South Africa in the Nelson Mandela Challenge, being replaced early in the second half by Emmanuel Mbola.[http://allafrica.com/stories/201211151016.html?viewall=1 Zambia-South Africa: Chipolopolo Dwarf Bafana] AllAfrica.com. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2012.[http://tumfweko.com/2012/11/14/live-renard-names-chipolopolo-starting-xi-to-face-bafana-bafana-watch-live-streaming-here/ Mandela Cup: South Africa 0–1 Zambia] Tumfweko.com. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2012.

Despite missing warm-up friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Tanzania through injury, on 24 December 2012 Nkausu was selected for Zambia's 26-man squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations the following month.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20140819085436/http://www.fazfootball.com/news/article/121224/Renard_names_Chipolopolo_squad_for_Afcon Renard names Chipolopolo squad for AFCON]}} Football Association of Zambia. 24 December 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2012. He subsequently started in Zambia's final warm-up games, goalless draws against Morocco and Norway on 8 and 12 January 2013 respectively.[http://allafrica.com/stories/201301090814.html Zambia: Atlas Lions Hold Chipolopolo] AllAfrica.com. 9 January 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2013.[http://www.ukzambians.co.uk/home/2013/01/12/zambia-0-norway-0-chipolopolo-dominates-possession-but-cant-score/ Zambia 0–0 Norway: Chipolopolo dominate but can't score] UKZambians.co.uk. 12 January 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2013.

On 21 January 2013, Nkausu played the entirety of Zambia's opening group game, a 1–1 draw with Ethiopia.[http://www.times.co.zm/?p=27486 Zambia 1–1 Ethiopia: Chipolopolo Misfire] Times of Zambia. 21 January 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2013. Four days later he started in the 1–1 draw against Nigeria; Nkausu conceded a penalty for a foul on Ahmed Musa in the first half, but the resulting spot-kick was missed by Mikel John Obi.[http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/african-cup-nations-keeper-mweene-scores-zambia-hold-165656706.html ACON – Keeper Mweene scores as Zambia hold Nigeria] 25 January 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013. Nkausu had to be substituted just 16 minutes into Zambia's final group game against Burkina Faso on 29 January 2013 after sustaining an ankle injury; he left the pitch in tears and was forced to watch on from the sidelines as Zambia were eliminated from the competition following a 0–0 draw.[https://sports.yahoo.com/news/zambia-0-0-burkina-faso-191300273--sow.html Zambia 0–0 Burkina Faso: Chipolopolo Vanquished After Draw] Yahoo! Sports. 29 January 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2013.

Nkausu earned his twentieth cap for Zambia in the 1–1 draw in Lesotho on 24 March 2013.[https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/03/24/africa/wc-qualifying-africa/lesotho/zambia/1230304/ Lesotho 1–1 Zambia – World Cup Qualifying] Soccerway.com. 24 March 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2013. On 5 June, he partnered Kondwani Mtongo in the heart of Zambia's defence in an experimental backline for the 2–1 behind-closed-doors win over local club Nkwazi FC.[http://zambiareports.com/2013/06/06/police-briefly-detain-journalists-at-zambia-training-site/ Police Briefly Detain Journalists at Zambia Training Site] ZambiaReports.com. 6 June 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2013. Nkausu subsequently played at centre-back alongside Noah Chivuta in the 4–0 second leg win over Lesotho on 8 June.[http://www.mtnfootball.com/international/fifa-world-cup-2014/news/2013/june/09-zambia-ratings-against-lesotho.html Zambia: Player Ratings against Lesotho] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613043038/http://www.mtnfootball.com/international/fifa-world-cup-2014/news/2013/june/09-zambia-ratings-against-lesotho.html |date=13 June 2013 }} MTNFootball.com. 9 June 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2013.

Style of play

SuperSport United have described Nkausu as a "utility player" who "has the ability to play anywhere in the SuperSport defence"; he has also been hailed as a "versatile defender" by the African media.[http://www.sufc.co.za/articles.aspx?Id=1195541 Nkausu's Zambia Takes On Bafana]{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} SuperSport United F.C. 21 January 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2012.[http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/?p=16789 Zambia on Verge of Qualification] Zambia Daily Mail. 13 October 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2012.[http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dailysun/2012/02/22/DJ/15/TshifNkausu.html Zambian Ace Eyes PSL Title] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819090630/http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dailysun/2012/02/22/DJ/15/TshifNkausu.html |date=19 August 2014 }} South African Daily Sun. 22 February 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2012. Although he is usually deployed at right-back, Nkausu has also played as a left-back, central defender and midfielder for club and country.[http://www.times.co.zm/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3074:renard-bullish-over-players-fitness-ahead-of-afcon&catid=38:sports&Itemid=48 Renard bullish over players' fitness ahead of ACON] Zambia Times. Retrieved 13 February 2012.[https://www.soccermanager.com/player.php?pid=37274 Davies Nkausu: Player profile] SoccerManager.com. 26 August 2009. Retrieved 13 February 2012.[http://www.thenewage.co.za/77873-10-53-PSL_stars_Ready_to_set_Afcon_alight PSL Stars Ready to Set Afcon Alight] TheNewAge.co.za. 11 January 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2013.[http://www.supersport.com/football/absa-premiership/news/120810/Ajax_SuperSport_open_with_draw Ajax, SuperSport open with draw] SuperSport. 10 August 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012. Indeed, in 2002 Nkausu played in central midfield for Zambia's U-17 team, alongside future African Cup of Nations-winning teammates Clifford Mulenga and Rainford Kalaba; two years later he occupied a centre-back berth in Zambia's 2004 CECAFA Cup campaign.[http://zambiareports.com/2012/07/04/zambias-2012-afcon-success-is-kambwilis-claim-true/ Zambia’s 2012 AFCON Success: Is Kambwili’s Claim True?] ZambiaReports.com. 4 July 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2012.[https://www.rsssf.org/tablesc/cosafa-u20.html 2004 CECAFA Cup – Zambian squad] RSSSF. 31 March 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2012.

Nkausu has been praised for his anticipation and interception skills, which helped him mark Salomon Kalou in the 2012 African Cup of Nations final.[http://www.ukzambians.co.uk/home/2012/02/13/zambias-chipolopolo-lift-afcon-trophy-footballs-greatest-story-ever/ Zambia's Chipolopolo Lift Afcon Trophy] UKZambians.co.uk. 13 February 2012. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2012. He is also known to have a good work–rate and a strong tackle, causing him to be considered a "good right-back against whom most wingers struggle".[https://archive.today/20120701150736/http://absapremiership.ensight.co.za/live/content.php?Item_ID=402 News and Perspectives: Davis Nkausu] ABSA Premiership. Retrieved 13 February 2012. After a strong performance in the 2012 African Cup of Nations final, Nkausu was described as having "showed composure" and having a "big match temperament" that allowed him to cope with the pressure of such an important game.[http://www.zambianfootball.net/2012/02/15/blog-player-rater-how-the-copper-bullets-conquered-africa/ Player Rater: How the Copper Bullets conquered Africa] ZambianFootball.net. 15 February 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2012. Nkausu has also been described as an "agile defender" who is known to possess a "long throw" when deployed as a full-back.[http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/?p=13617 Uganda-Zambia: A Wake-Up Call]{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Zambia Daily Mail. 8 September 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2012.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19509358 Zambia with work to do after narrow win] BBC Sport. 8 September 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2012.

However, critics have highlighted Nkausu's positional sense as an area of weakness, claiming that he is frequently "caught out of position drifting into midfield areas".[http://www.zambianfootball.net/2012/02/05/blog-player-rater-chipolopolo-batter-crocs-in-bata/ Player rater: Chipolopolo batter Crocs in Bata] ZambianFootball.net. 5 February 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2012. It has also been suggested that the defender is "error–prone", contributing to SuperSport United's "suspect defence", although The Post have since countered this view, describing the player as "a consistent member of Chipolopolo".[http://www.sundayworld.co.za/sport/2012/02/05/bucs-sharpen-sword Bucs Sharpen Sword] SundayWorld. 5 February 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2012.[http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=34099 Saif Rules Out 'Revenge'] The Post. 14 June 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2013. Some commentators have criticised Nkausu's attacking play, noting that during the 2012 African Cup of Nations the player "booted the ball upfield too much, which conceded possession cheaply."[http://www.zambianfootball.net/2012/01/30/blog-player-rater-chipolopolo-silence-doubting-thomases-in-toppling-imported-foreigners/ Player Rater: Chipolopolo silence doubting Thomases] ZambianFootball.net. 30 January 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2012. Despite this, it has also been claimed that Nkausu's "creativity" helped him to become Zambia's first–choice right back in 2012 as his attacking play was seen to be better than that of fellow defender Joseph Musonda.[http://www.zambianfootball.net/2012/01/14/chipolopolo-face-namibia-in-final-afcon-warm-up/ Chipolopolo face Namibia in final AFCON warm up] ZambianFootball.net. 14 January 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2012.[http://www.newafricanfootball.com/index.php/news/287-south-korea-v-zambia-the-chipolopolos-susceptibility-to-the-aerial-ball South Korea v. Zambia: Susceptibility to aerial ball defines game] NewAfricanFootball.com. 15 August 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012.

Honours

=Club=

SuperSport United[http://www.sufc.co.za/articles.aspx?Id=1239541 Nkausu's profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819085521/http://www.sufc.co.za/ARTICLES.ASPX?ID=1239541 |date=19 August 2014 }} SuperSport United F.C. 10 February 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2012.