Chipolopolo head coach Moses Sichone has issued a strong warning to Fashion Sakala after the forward showed visible frustration when he was substituted during Zambia’s AFCON 2025 Group A matchday two clash against Comoros.
Sakala, who currently captains the national team, was clearly unhappy with the decision to withdraw him, prompting Sichone to publicly address the incident.
“Fashion was not happy with my decision to substitute him, but this is the national team — not an individual team,” Sichone said, as quoted by Kaumba Chikenge.
“If a player is not performing, we must give others a chance. So yes, he was upset.”
The Chipolopolo coach stressed that such reactions cannot be tolerated, particularly from a player entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
“This is something I need to address, especially because he is the team captain,” Sichone added.
“When you are chosen to lead, you must lead by example. I cannot accept such behaviour.”
The incident has also revived memories of Sakala’s previous outburst during Avram Grant’s tenure, where the striker publicly expressed frustration over his role and treatment in the team — a situation that raised similar concerns about discipline and professionalism.
With Zambia pushing for progression in Group A, Sichone has made it clear that team discipline and unity will take precedence over individual status, regardless of a player’s profile or experience.
when Avram spoke about fashion us zambians we thought it was not fair we even hated Avram the truth.The spoon will not be called the shovel no.The truth of the matter is that fashion is not a national team player.I even wondered why or what came into is mind of sichone to give captainship to fashion.That decision i personally i was disappointed because fashion is very selfish player he is not a team player he wants his personal glory instead of the 21million zambians. for me he doesn’t deserve to be in national colors not even at bench please! he is pathentic x 1000. useless i have never seen a captain being substituted two times in row in such big tournament captain without impact useless.
Patson, lameck and Fashion these guys should be sidelined for the Morocco game. They haven’t been helping the team when called upon.
Zambia has so many problems right now. Some people, bosses and many fans they cannot see the wood for trees….
You can see people talking about this players performance, that players so and so. Now even Fashion’s attitude….
None of these things are the problem, ignore these people, they are ball watching and have no idea about Zambian national team management.
Zambia cannot play a game, they have no style of play. Well the style of play we play is weak and just lands us in trouble. The first thing you have to know is that Fashion, Patson etc were playing the exact same style of football that they played in 2017, we have not grown, and the style of play is not good enough. This is problem of leadership. This is a problem of providing the team the technical education to become better, to grow, to play a better style of football that will bring results.
The core of the team is fine, they are gifted players, they are getting older and because we not provided a real coach with know how and disire we have sent those players to run around like headless chickens.
We have to find a coach, someone who is going to properly train Zambia. The FA president has to understand, find a the right coach and manage the coach well because we have wasted so much time already.
Avram Grant saw it and called it out!
Moses Sichone has seen it and called it out!
DELUDED 🇿🇲 🇿🇲 🇿🇲 🇿🇲 🇿🇲 🇿🇲 🇿🇲 fans think there is nothing wrong. Fashion has NO discipline & team spirit in him. The bench should be his resting place against Morocco & hopefully this is his last AFCON.
This is why Abel Nyirongo should have made this trip. We need effort to be seen NOT selfish play and smiles for the camera.
Coach let the unkown tourist from Austria & Musonda start. Bench Patson and Fashion. We have nothing to lose.
What has Fashion done wrong? He is upset to be subbed off? So what, he is not the first and he wont be the last. I hope all my players are upset to leave the game. Chris Katongo used to upset to leave the game.
What other big headed are we talking about?