FAZ BREAKS SILENCE ON FASHION SAKALA, CALLS FOR UNITY AND PATIENCE
By: Sun FM TV Reporter
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Keith Mweemba has urged the public to refrain from speculating about Fashion Sakala’s absence from the senior men’s national team, stating that the team has not played any matches since the new executive assumed office.
Speaking in response to growing concerns, Mweemba emphasized that no player has been officially excluded and called for unity within the football fraternity.
He said individuals must exercise patience until the national team plays its first game under his administration before making assumptions about who has made it to the squad.
His remarks come amid renewed calls from traditional leaders, including Chief Mpezeni, who last week urged FAZ to reconcile with Sakala and reintegrate him into the Chipolopolo squad.
Sakala has remained absent from national duty following a public fallout with head coach Avram Grant, whom he accused of pressuring players to sign with Israeli agent Nir Karin in exchange for call-ups. Grant dismissed the allegations, stating it to be “total lies” and demanded an apology, which Sakala declined to offer.
Ahead of the 2025 FAZ elections, Sakala also accused former FAZ president Andrew Kamanga of betrayal, claiming he encouraged him to speak out against Grant.
Mweemba has since pledged to address the matter through dialogue, stating that reconciliation and discipline are key to moving forward.
People have a right to complain! Your first notable issue on your calendar was to bring in Kalusha into your administration through the back door as a vice chairman, and you think it was right thing to do? You seem to forget how much he hard destroyed soccer last time he hard been incharge? Kalusha has had all the soccer top positions including that of coach and player coach and soccer ended up in the door drums. Don’t be surprised if he makes a move to push you out of that position. Kalusha has nothing to offer to football apart from his own self interests. There a lot of people that can contribute to soccer with big interests better than Kalusha. I won’t be surprised if your Adminstration fails to perform and becomes a talk shop! It was a big mistake to bring in Kalusha and Malitoli.