 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.