…Have Zesco Fans Been Vindicated?
Gladys Lengwe, one of Zambia’s most dignified exports to the globe in the refereeing circles, has relinquished her role as FAZ Referees Committee Chairperson.
Lengwe has spit out some alarming reasons for her decision to throw in the towel at FAZ.
The now retired FIFA acclaimed referee has attributed her decision to quit her role to corruption and intrusion by the referees’ body in the selection or dismissal of some referees tainted with corruption.
Lengwe’s screaming revelations come barely two weeks after Zesco United fans shouted foul over alleged dubious last minute changes made to the match officiating panel for their crucial away fixture against Mutondo Stars which decided their passage or failure to qualify for the 2026 ABSA Cup.
I wrote about Zesco’s concerns and even made a follow up with the relevant appointing referees’ office for clarification to which I received no response.
Eventually, Zesco lost 1-0 to Mutondo Stars in a match in which they were denied what looked was a clear goal among other controversial refereeing decisions made by one Leonard Akapelwa in that match and FC MUZA qualified for the ABSA Cup.
The story of Lengwe and her reasons for resigning is now, unsurprisingly so, a hot topic of discussion amongst WhatsApp groups of Zesco fans.
Unsuprisingly so because it is undeniably alarming for a top referees committee like Lengwe, whose integrity has been proven at the highest level, to make such alarming claims about the things happening behind the scenes and officiating of matches.
Lengwe’s position on the state of refereeing in the country perhaps comes as a source of vindication and point of proof for Zesco and their fans.
For this reason, they also feel vindicated for questioning referee Hilary Hambaba and his officiating panel over his decisions in their 3-2 loss at home to Power Dynamos.
Zesco admit they are not at their best but retain their stance that the quality of officiating has contributed to their misfortunes.
Lengwe’s revelations come appalling for our football and its integrity as well as spirit of fair competition in our Football.
When it was revealed last week that no Zambian referee had been appointed to officiate the knockout stage matches of the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup, we thought it was because our level of officiating is just poor.
But it is now unfortunate that it is not just that it is honestly mistake-prone but also deliberately corrupt.
Lengwe’s revelations should beget a reason to start safeguarding the integrity of football and churning out corruption or kill our football ignominiously.
[Wami Katanga]
Quoting from ‘Zambian Sports’ report media, this is what she also said;
“Mr General Secretary, we (Referees Committee) have been made (reduced) to be a shell of a committee. The Referees Manager Stanley Hachiwa has more powers than us. I questioned the perpetual appointments of the corrupt referee, he has decided to ignore my directives and decided to appoint the same referees. His behaviour has spoken a lot.”
Who appointed this Stanley Hachiwa? If he is that corrupt and pompous its because he believes he is untouchable. And where is this trend of appointments to all key positions at FAZ and football circles from one tribe coming from?
Tribalism and corruption kills football, so all football loving Zambians should wake up and put an end to this cancer before its too late!