In December 2011 it was announced that Nkausu was included in Zambia's provisional 2012 Africa Cup of Nations squad. Nkausu was an unused substitute in Zambia's opening Cup of Nations group stage match, a 2–1 win over Senegal on 21 January 2012. Nkausu made his first appearance of the tournament in Zambia's second game, a 2–2 draw with Libya on 25 January 2012. Nkausu came on as a second-half substitute for midfielder Chisamba Lungu. He played the full ninety minutes of Zambia's final group stage game, a 1–0 win over Equatorial Guinea on 29 January 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".