FAZ chief Andrew Kamanga struck a confident pose ahead of the March 12 FIFA Council seat election when he appeared on the continent popular Soccer Africa Show on SuperSport. The FAZ president who wound up his Cosafa region campaign trail said he had earned enough stripes for his work in the FIFA Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee and CAF Finance Committee where his deputy president to earn a seat on the fabled FIFA Council table. Kamanga also said his rounded contribution to the Zambian game which had seen national teams like the Copper Queens qualify to back-to-back Olympics and a memorable FIFA World Cup appearance in 2023 placed the nation in good stead on the global platform with Chipolopolo back in the frame with back-to-back Africa Cup appearances. The under-17 Women National Team were at the 2024 FIFA Women World Cup in the Dominican Republic. “When it comes to the credentials whether on the pitch, I think I have earned the stripes, we have delivered Zambian football, I have a fair understanding of what it takes to run a football federation in Africa under difficult conditions,” he says. “Finance is always a challenge, I have had the opportunity to sit in the CAF finance committee which obviously gives me an insight with what happens with financing in African football. To wrap it up I have been in the FIFA Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee as well as compliance committee for the last eight years. So in terms of credentials, I am reasonably qualified but the decision will be up to the other FA presidents who may think that I am there to serve their interests better but also see what differences we can make.” He adds: “For me the biggest issue will always be that FIFA has done very well with the forward program but what we need to do now is to innovate, create more opportunities for African FAs to be able to move and become financially independent so we move away from the government dependence, which is the real challenge. If we can fix that in the next four to five years African football is going to change for the better going forward.” Kamanga says Zambia had won over FIFA in investing in projects as they had been complaint with the stringent resource guidelines. “It is a merit based system, so you deliver, you get access to more funds, if you don’t you don’t get. Now are guaranteed to spend $10 million for the new technical centre in the new cycle which will start in 2026. We were supported by the FIFA president Gianni Infantino and it was remarkable,” he says. “The whole idea is to have one facility where you have got accommodation, the federation, the playing pitches, everything sitting in one place. If you have been to Morocco it is a marvel, of course that is the most expensive on the continent. The idea is that we want to start with one big centre then replicate it in the 10 provinces. In that way, we expect that we will improve our football by having FAZ academies in the 10 provinces.” FAZ says he was mindful of the power play at CAF elections but hoped his track record at FIFA and CAF would enhance his chances. “Chances are there but I have just finished up my campaign within Cosafa, I was in the region and visited all my colleagues. Of course they have given me the endorsement but as you know with CAF elections everything happens 24 hours before. So I have to be sure that everyone who is promising to vote, who has endorsed is delivering the actual vote,” he says. Kamanga says 2025 promised to be a great year for Zambian football given the teams that had qualified for CAF competitions. “To close it off this year (2025) will be very good for Zambian football, as at the end last year (2024) we have qualified to all the CAF tournaments, the men’s senior in December, women’s in July, the Chan in August, under-20 which is starting in May and the under-17 which will be starting end of this month,” he says. “So we have ticked off all the boxes and we are moving Zambian football forward. So we are going to all the CAF tournaments this year, five of them.” Kamanga will battle it out with nine other contestants for the five FIFA positions availed for the male folk while one seat is reserved for female contestants. Full list of candidates: Andrew Kamanga (Zambia) Hany Abou Rida (Egypt) seeking re-election Fouzi Lekjaa (Morocco) seeking re-election Yahia Ahmed (Mauritania) Souleiman Waberi (Djibouti) Amaju Pinnick (Nigeria) seeking re-election Idriss Diallo (Cote d’Ivoire) Mathurin Chakus (Benin) seeking re-election Augustine Senghor (Senegal) Djibrilla Hamidou Pele (Niger) By FAZ Media
As the season approaches its climax both in Zambia and abroad, clubs and supporters are firmly looking at possibilities of reaching their respective targets. On course for some and mixed bag for others one thing remains certain, the run toward end that is fast approaching will be grueling. It’s tight both at the top and at the bottom and penetrating to get the much-desired satisfaction from the season’s exertions may not come easily. In the final stretch, an almighty lot will be asked of on all ends but at this stage of the season, success or lack thereof may primarily hinge on some fine little details. Below I do a quickfire delve. DEPTH IN QUALITY – universally seen to be more around quantity and maybe rightly so, but quantity without quality won’t give you much. Negotiating a way to the top and staying there will demand a lot of quality. Instructions from coaches (Clarity of thought too), executions from players, detail from the support staff and management of matches has to be of the highest level. RIGHT ROTATIONS – fact is, considering the amount of games that have been played so far, the players are tired and it will only get worse. On another score, it is often believed that coaches must rotate squads to keep them fresh. While this may be true, it is something that must be managed accordingly for the sake of rhythm and telepathy. Like it or not, changes will always affect how a team performs and too many be fatal. That is the reason why at the very top, a team always has around 15-16 players that always play and not all fringe players get the action no matter the load. After all, the finale is not a charity procession for giving free rides. Appearances must be earned. Masseurs and Physios will just have to work overtime. Also, teams will hope for better luck with injuries some of which is self-made really. WINNING MENTALITY – first, the teams must believe that whatever they seek is doable then go on do what it will take to make that a reality. Presence of those that have done it before in a team may give an advantage but even for those that don’t have such individuals, they must tune their minds to it. A few other matters like general management, fan support, match to match preparation ways and alike may determine the winners from the rest. After all, winning isn’t just about trophies but also about getting that which you set out for and even when you don’t, the lessons along the way be invaluable for future successes. This should have been quickfire and lest I go against my own words, I end with reminding you that teams are at a point where their aspirations may die or be brought to life and for all this, the difference may be in how they manage and give the final push. By Franklyn M Malambo
The Chipolopolo have arrived in Moscow ahead of Tuesday’s international friendly match with Russia at the VTB Arena. Coach Avram Grant says his squad is upbeat despite some notable absentees due to injuries and travel challenges from some destinations. The team arrived at around 10:00 hours local time and are due for their first training session later in the evening. Grant says the squad is largely the same that qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations amidst several injury problems. The Chipolopolo will use the game against Russia to remain active after their opponents in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers Eritrea and Congo Brazzaville withdrew and were suspended respectively. By FAZ Media
The Zambia Senior Men’s National Team has left for Moscow for the March 25 FIFA international friendly match with Russia. A 19-member squad comprising a mix of foreign and local based players left Kenneth Kaunda International Airport aboard Ethiopian Airlines. Skipper Lubambo Musonda and England based Patson Daka will miss out due to injury and work permit renewal situation. Lecce’s Lameck Banda has been left out as he is yet to fully return to fitness after a long injury lay off. With Eritrea withdrawing from the World Cup qualifiers and Congo Brazzaville suspended by FIFA, Zambia was left without a game during the March window. FULL SQUAD (GOALKEEPERS) Toaster Nsabata (Zesco United), Charles Kalumba (Red Arrows), Victor Chabu (Nchanga Rangers) (DEFENDERS) Gift Mphande (Rishon-LeZion-Israel), Benedict Chepeshi, (Zesco United), Kabaso Chongo (Kabwe Warriors), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), Kebson Kamanga (Red Arrows) (MIDFIELDERS) Miguel Chaiwa (Young Boys), Dominic Kanda, Wilson Chisala, Kelvin Kapumbu (all Zanaco), Emmanuel Banda (Al Tai-Saudi Arabia), Kings Kangwa (Hapoel Be’er Sheva-Israel), Clatous Chama (Young Africans-Tanzania), (STRIKERS) Edward Chilufya (Midtylland-Denmark), Songa Chipyoka (Hapoel Petah Tikva-Israel), Kennedy Musonda (Young Africans-Tanzania), Joseph Sabobo Banda (FC Zurich-Switzerland)
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