By Prince Kanyinji
It is not the first time and it will not be the last time if it happens, The Zambia national team has an outside chance of participating in next year’s AFCON tournament if the Zimbabwean government doesn’t rescind the decision of dissolving the Zimbabwe football association (ZIFA) board which may attract a ban from FIFA as FIFA doesn’t allow government interference in the running of football.
Since Zambia finished third in the AFCON qualification group which comprised of leaders Algeria, second placed Zimbabwe, and bottom team Botswana and the rules will favor Zambia to take up the spot left by Zimbabwe if it decides to ban them.
The AFCON 2021 Regulations Article 86 states that ” If a team withdraws after its qualification in the final tournament, but before its actual start, it shall be replaced by the team classified next in the group of the team in question. In default, the group to which belongs the forfeiting team shall be composed of three teams”.
Is it not too late for Zambia to be given the spot? No! it is not.
If the team required to replace the team which has been banned has got the capacity then the team will be given the spot, take the case of Denmark for example who replaced Yugoslavia 10 days before the 1992 EURO tournament which they went on to win. So it’s not about time but the capacity.
This is not happening for the first time where a team replaces another team because of breaking rules.
It is not even a shame and to call such qualification a backdoor and that Zambia doesn’t deserve it if given the spot because thinking like this is the same as saying rules are of no value.
Rules are rules and there is nothing like backdoor and not deserving it. For example, if Zambia finished 4th in the group was it going to have such a chance, No! so Zambia deserves it and they played their luck well if people are to put it.
Zambians should embrace the opportunity if it does come to fruition and should not feel ashamed. Two practical examples can be used in Zambia’s case which is of Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa and Denmark of Europe.
Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa were eliminated from the 2016 CAF champions league by AS Vita Club of DR Congo but they were reinstated in the competition after Congolese giants used Idrissa Traore who was not eligible for the match.
We didn’t hear anyone say Sundowns qualified through the backdoor and should feel ashamed, the move was welcomed because AS Vita club violated the rules.
Mamelodi Sundowns embraced the opportunity and went all the way to win the competition.
Denmark in Europe replaced Yugoslavia after the latter was kicked out of the competition following the war and united nations sanctions in 1992.
Denmark was not spoken ill of like they used the backdoor to qualify and the Danish embraced the opportunity and won the same 1992 EURO tournament.
When rules are applied, there is no shame because they are the ones that govern the sport.
A lot of talk about Zambia qualifying to the AFCON, can it be a reality? Yes, it can if things continue going on the way they are in Zimbabwe unless otherwise.
Latest reports in Zimbabwe indicate that the Zimbabwean sports and recreation commission (SRC) has indicated that the country is prepared for the ban
“In as far as ZIFA is concerned, we have done the necessary consultations. We are prepared for whatever might happen. If FIFA decides to ban Zimbabwean football, we are prepared,” said Mlotshwa the chairman for sports and recreation commission
“I think Zimbabwean football needs this space and this opportunity to fix itself. If that takes us a year, if it takes us two years and we are out of the international football scene, that is fine, everyone accepts that. If we are suspended from AFCON [Africa cup of nations] next year, that is okay, believe me, we are prepared for that,” he added
Reasons for such have stemmed from what the government cited numerous violations, especially failure to account for public funds like for world cup preparations which ZIFA was given.
If it does come, it won’t come on the silver platter but because Zambia deserves it because of the rules as interference of government in football administration violates FIFA laws.
Zambia kuchalo
We all know Zambia won’t win it even if they participate. They just don’t have what it takes. The competition is too match.
Law and order must prevail in football, in politics and the rest of society. Good luck Chipolopo and please pull up your socks.
Well spoken.
Let the rules rule.