Mbasela led Zambia’s attack when they beat South Africa 1-0 in Johannesburg in a CAN qualifier in August 1992 but was not part of the team that perished in the Gabon air disaster eight months later. He was a key player in the reconstituted team, making his first appearance in a tough Nations Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe in Harare when he replaced Maybin Mgaiwa in the 35th minute of the match which Zambia came from behind to draw 1-1 through a rare headed goal by Bwalya, which was enough to earn them a place at Tunisia 1994. Not only was Mbasela’s performance striking, so was his appearance. With his teammates bedecked in a white Adidas strip, he surprisingly entered the pitch wearing Adidas shorts and a Puma shirt, with the FAZ giving no explanation for the faux pas but it presumably did not go down well with Adidas, who were Zambia’s kit sponsors at the time.