Switzerland Calls Up Sion’s Rising Star Winsley Boteli for Nations League
The Swiss national team, fresh off a World Cup quarterfinal appearance, has handed a debut call-up to 20-year-old Winsley Boteli, the forward from Sion. His impressive form early in the season has attracted interest from Champions League clubs like Galatasaray and Porto.
Boteli has netted 12 goals in 14 matches, including a hat trick against Ajax last month during the Conference League qualifying playoffs. Despite being courted by Congo's football federation, due to his family roots there and Congo’s World Cup round of 32 appearance, Boteli recently confirmed his commitment to Switzerland.
New Faces and Returns in Yakin's 25-Man Squad
Coach Murat Yakin also gave a first call-up to 20-year-old Parma defender Sascha Britschgi. The squad will face Scotland, Slovenia, and North Macedonia in the Nations League fixtures.
Captain Granit Xhaka, who impressed at the World Cup and holds a record 152 caps for Switzerland, returns to the team. The Sunderland midfielder will turn 34 just after the opening Nations League match against North Macedonia on September 26.
Breel Embolo is included following his controversial red card in the World Cup quarterfinal loss to Argentina. Embolo has since moved to Atlanta United in Major League Soccer.
Another uncapped player, 21-year-old center back Zachary Athekame, on loan from AC Milan at Lyon, is also back in the squad.
Geneva Roots Among Squad Members
Boteli and Athekame join fellow Geneva youth products Johan Manzambi, Denis Zakaria, and Zeki Amdouni in the squad. Although all came through Servette's youth system, they played a combined total of only six matches for the club. Zakaria, now Monaco’s captain, played all six games in Switzerland’s second division in the 2014-15 season.
Manzambi shared a childhood photo with Athekame on Instagram, reflecting their long-standing friendship.
Upcoming Matches
- September 26: Switzerland vs North Macedonia (away)
- September 29: Scotland vs Switzerland (away)
- October: Switzerland hosts Slovenia and North Macedonia in Lucerne for consecutive home games
