Contractor still working on final touches for the overall infrastructure at Solwezi Independence Stadium says FAZ 

The Football Association of Zambia has finally responded to the outcry concerning the works done at Solwezi Independence Stadium. 

According to a press statement availed to the ZamFoot Crew, only the pitch has been done and the overall infrastructure still has some final touches still to be done. 

FAZ General Secretary Reuben Kamanga says the decision to give partial approval for teams was to help the teams avoid huge costs of playing away from their home town. 

“The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) wishes to inform its members and stakeholders that it has taken note of the commentaries on the soon to be handed over FIFA funded Independence Stadium in Solwezi.”

FAZ General Secretary Reuben Kamanga says works on the pitch (turf) have been completed while the civil works await final touches.

“We wish to set the record straight over the works on the Independence Stadium in Solwezi. Just like we did for the already completed David Kaunda Stadium we, will have an official handover of the Independence stadium in Solwezi with FIFA representatives, government officials, local authorities and FAZ. The handover will be preceded by a thorough inspection to be done by all the stakeholders,” Kamanga told FAZ Media. 

“We gave a provisional green light for Independence Stadium to be used for some games as the local teams were burdened with the cost of playing their home matches on the Copperbelt.”

Kamanga says the contractor was still working on final touches for the overall infrastructure while the pitch installer had completed their work.

“We also wish to inform members of the public that the bulk of the US300,000 for this project was allocated to the installation of the natural pitch. The amounts allocated for the FIFA project was purely for rehabilitation and not for erecting a new stadium. We thought we should clarify on that aspect so that the publics` expectation can be managed.”

FAZ through FIFA was awarded USD1.5 million for five projects that include four provincial stadia and one accommodation center.

Part of the works included pitch installation (natural grass), perimeter wall fence, ticketing offices, ablution blocks, dressing rooms and some civil works on the grandstand.

FIFA handed over the refurbished David Kaunda Stadium in Chipata on September 23, 2023 which was officiated by the Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts Honorable Elvis Nkandu MP.

Solwezi Independence Stadium over the weekend was used for the first time since the start of works and the public went to town expressing their displeasure. 

The stands, the perimeter and the general outlook of the stadium has left fans, and the larger football family with a bitter taste and asking for a probe into the process.