a match that also acted as a warm-up game for a 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Uganda in September. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. He subsequently started in Zambia's final warm-up games, goalless draws against Morocco and Norway on 8 and 12 January 2013 respectively. On 21 January 2013, Nkausu played the entirety of Zambia's opening group game, a 1–1 draw with Ethiopia. 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. 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. Nkausu earned his twentieth cap for Zambia in the 1–1 draw in Lesotho on 24 March 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. Nkausu subsequently played at centre-back alongside Noah Chivuta in the 4–0 second leg win over Lesotho on 8 June. Style of play SuperSport United have described Nkausu as a "utility player" who "has the ability to play anywhere in the