In a shocking turn of events, Young Green Buffaloes Girls FC has found itself embroiled in a controversy involving the use of an ineligible player, M Serah Tembo, during their National Division One Playoffs match against Valley Queens FC on June 18, 2025. The Disciplinary Committee of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has ruled in favor of Valley Queens FC, awarding them a 3-0 win in accordance with Rule 6.1 of the tournament.
The saga began when Valley Queens FC lodged a formal complaint against Young Green Buffaloes Girls FC, alleging that the player fielded under the name Serah Tembo was not the registered individual in the FAZ system. Despite being given the opportunity to respond to the allegations, Young Green Buffaloes Girls FC failed to provide sufficient evidence to exculpate themselves.
The committee’s investigation revealed that the player in question participated in the match under the identity of a registered player, but upon further inspection, it was discovered that the individual was not registered under the name used during the match and was not registered under any name. This constitutes a clear case of fraudulent player use and misrepresentation, directly violating the competition rules.
The FAZ Player Registration and Transfer Regulations (Article 11.1) and the FAZ Disciplinary Code (Article 61) were breached, specifically relating to the use of an unregistered or ineligible player and falsification or misrepresentation of player identity. The committee found that the player profile on file with Young Green Buffaloes Girls FC bore a different image than the player who featured in the match, and that the fielded player assumed credentials that did not belong to her, committing an act of impersonation tantamount to fraud, falsification, or misconduct.
In light of these findings, the Disciplinary Committee has awarded the match to Valley Queens FC by a score of 3-0. However, the committee has reserved the right to further invoke Rule 3.6 of the FAZ National Division One Playoffs 2025 Tournament Rules against Young Green Buffaloes Girls FC should such activity persist. Rule 3.6 states that any team fielding an ineligible player(s) shall be automatically excluded from participating in the FAZ National Division One Playoffs and forfeit all the matches they participated in.
The decision has significant implications for Young Green Buffaloes Girls FC, who face the possibility of exclusion from the tournament if found guilty of further eligibility breaches. The club’s management and coaching staff must now take immediate action to rectify the situation and ensure compliance with FAZ regulations.
As the National Division One Playoffs continue, all eyes will be on Young Green Buffaloes Girls FC and Valley Queens FC, who will look to capitalize on the awarded win to propel themselves further in the competition. The FAZ Disciplinary Committee’s decision serves as a stern warning to all participating teams to adhere to the rules and regulations governing the tournament.
FULL STATEMENT; PLAYER REGISTRATION & ELIGIBILITY REVIEW – YOUNG GREEN BUFFALOES GIRLS FC (2024-25 SEASON)
Subject: Use of an Ineligible Player – M Serah Tembo
Reference: Complaint lodged by Valley Queens FC
Match ID: A3
Date of Match: 06-18-2025
Competition: National Division One Playoffs 2024-25
Findings:
Following a formal complaint lodged by Valley Queens FC, to which a letter to exculpate yourselves was later served to the club, to which a response was rendered back to the committee. The committee reviewed both the complaint, the exculpatory response and investigated the eligibility of the player jersey 29 fielded by Young Green Buffaloes Girls FC to which Valley Queens alleges, was not the registered individual in the FAZ system going by the name Serah Tembo during the above-mentioned match.
It was established that:
1. The player in question participated in the match under the identity of a registered player.
2. Upon inspection, it was revealed that the individual is not registered under the name used during the match and is not registered under any name.
3. This constitutes a case of fraudulent player use and misrepresentation, in direct violation of the competition rules.
Relevant Rule Breached:
This act is not in good standing with the FAZ Player Registration and Transfer Regulations (Article 11.1) and the FAZ Disciplinary Code (Article 61), specifically relating to:
– Use of an unregistered or ineligible player: In accordance with Article 11.1 of the FAZ Player Registration and Transfer Regulations, and though present under the profile of Young Green Buffaloes Girls FC, the player profile bares a different image than that of the player who featured in the particular match.
– Falsification or misrepresentation of player identity: The Fielded Player assumed credentials that do not belong to her hence committing an act of impersonation which in this context can translate to fraud, falsification, or misconduct and is sanctionable under Article 61 of the FAZ Disciplinary Code.
Sanction:
Based on the above findings, the match is hereby awarded to Valley Queens FC by a score of *3-0*, in line with Rule 6.1 of the tournament which states:
“If a team forfeits a game for any reason, the match shall be scored as a 3-0 win for the declared winner.”
Further Action:
The Committee reserves the right to further invoke Rule 3.6 of the FAZ National Division One Playoffs 2025 Tournament Rules against Young Green Buffaloes Girls FC should such activity persist:
Rule 3.6
“Any team fielding an ineligible player(s) shall be automatically excluded from participating in the FAZ National Division One Playoffs and forfeit all the match they participated in.”
Issued on: 06-18-2025
By Order of the Disciplinary Committee (National Division One Playoffs)
