Government has expressed concern over what it describes as an insatiable appetite for allowances by some National Team players, saying this attitude is contributing to the poor performance of the Chipolopolo.
Speaking at the ongoing National Football Indaba in Lusaka, Minister of Sport, Youth and Arts Elvis Nkandu says the growing tendency by players to focus on payments ahead of performance was hurting the national team.
Nkandu notes that commitment and patriotism should take precedence over financial demands when players are called to national duty.
The Minister has disclosed that Government has, on two occasions, witnessed players boycotting matches as late as two hours before kick-off due to demands to be paid before taking to the pitch.
He says on both occasions, the Chipolopolo went on to lose the matches, a situation he described as worrying for the future of Zambian football.
Nkandu has since implored the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to take a firm stance and consider sidelining players who are in the habit of inciting others, saying such individuals bring negative energy to the national team and the country’s football at large.
Meanwhile, the Minister has cautioned FAZ against alienating people from the game by introducing rules that bar stakeholders from participating, emphasized that banning administrators or officials should only be used as a last resort after all other measures have been exhausted.
And speaking at the same event, FIFA Regional Lead Development Officer David Fani hailed the Zambian Government for organizing the National Football Indaba, stating that the world football governing body remains committed to supporting the growth and development of football in Zambia.
The Indaba has attracted wide participation from football administrators and Chipolopolo legends, including soccer icon Kalusha Bwalya, Kenneth “Bubble” Malitoli, Emmanuel Munaile and Wedson Nyirenda, among others.
By Mukwima Chilala
Oh wow. So rather than solve the problem, your solution is to get rid of complainers???
How many paychecks has the sports minister missed?
This kind of leadership is quite disturbing and this is the kind of place you want to bring professional players like Jardel Katongo.
How about “hey FAZ let’s work together and budget out the year to understand what it costs to keep the players allowances paid.” This is simple planning on the part of the government. They have the money, yet they always act like this is the hardest thing they have to do. Nonsense!
I couldn’t agree more with your post. This Administration is on record having said that the cleared all outstanding allowances and yet here we are. Players need to be paid their dues and instead of issuing threats, you should be dialoging with them to find ways that this issue can be solved amicably. We thought we were getting a breath of fresh air with the new FAZ but it seems we are back to the old ways. These players who play abroad make more money that we can ever pay them but when the strike it’s mostly in solidarity with their local teammates wo depend on these allowances. if we promised allowances, we should honor our promise, You cannot expect players to be motivated to be at their best with such situations, compounded by disrespectful threats. You discipline your children and not adults with families. These players are not kids and should be treated with respect like we would with any professional adult. No wonder Nora stayed away from the women’s outing to Malawi. FAZ and this minister need to quickly change their tone on this and learn to deal with such situations amicably. Threats won’t work