NSCZ threatens FAZ with suspension

NSCZ threatens FAZ with suspension

By Cecilia Nayame

THE National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) has warned that any deliberate attempts to disregard statutes by the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) will result in suspension from all forms of sport in line with the Sports Council of Zambia Act.

In a letter dated March 15, 2025 addressed to FAZ general secretary Reuben Kamanga, NSCZ chief executive officer Sombwa Musunsa said the council had observed with the highest level of concern Kamanga’s defiance regarding its directives.

“We have noted that Mr Andrew Kamanga [FAZ president] continues to illegally claim that he is the President of FAZ when he knows clearly that his mandate ended on 28 February 2025. However, despite our engagements with you as CEO of the Association to desist from positioning Mr Kamanga as president of FAZ, you have not heeded to our directives,” Musunsa said.

He said on some occasions, Kamanga had attempted to convene an illegal meeting with former Executive Committee members.

Musunsa reminded Kamanga that at present, FAZ had no Executive Committee and any decisions made by the former members not only defied NSCZ but also association’s own constitution

“Furthermore, we wish to indicate that NSCZ is acting to protect the integrity of football in Zambia and will not participate in deliberate abrogation of both the FIFA and FAZ statutes. In this regard, our appeal to FIFA and FAZ is to uphold the highest levels of integrity and safeguard your statutes which guided us on the expiration of the tenure of the former Executive Members,” Musunsa said.

He said there was no single provision in the FAZ constitution that allowed anyone to extend the constitutional mandate of an expired Executive Committee.

Musunsa said NSCZ would not condone the abrogation of the Sports Council Act and Associations’ Constitutions.

“Any deliberate attempts by FAZ to disregard the statutes may result in suspension of yourself and any other members from all forms of sport including football in line with the Sports Council of Zambia Act. Please take this advice seriously and communicate with the immediate past FAZ president and other members,” Musunsa said.