FAZ WAITING ON TECHNICAL REPORT AS EVANS KANGWA HEADS BACK TO CHINA – FOCUS NOW ON WHOEVER IS LEFT IN CAMP
With 10 key players out, Zambia prepares for the Chad clash with hope, prayers, and a bit of confusion.
Lusaka, Zambia, October 14 – The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has announced that it is waiting for an official report from the technical bench regarding the abrupt departure of Evans Kangwa from camp. Kangwa, who was expected to feature in the upcoming qualifiers, left for China over the weekend, leaving both fans and officials scratching their heads.
Speaking to reporters, FAZ General Secretary Reuben Kamanga deflected concerns about Kangwa’s sudden exit. “We will wait for a report from the technical bench. But focus now should be on the players that are in camp and not those that are away,” said Kamanga, clearly hoping everyone would just stop asking awkward questions.
According to Kamanga, FAZ had communicated with Kangwa’s club, Qingdao Hainiu, to secure his release for the qualifiers, only for the player to board a plane early, leaving the team in limbo. “We wrote to Kangwa’s club to have him released for the two qualifiers, but he decided to leave early. We’ll wait to hear from the technical bench,” Kamanga added, as if hoping the report might somehow explain it all away.
Fans were quick to speculate that Kangwa’s early departure was fueled by frustration after being benched in the previous match. “An unused substitute is still a substitute,” Kamanga seemed to imply, dodging the obvious question of whether Kangwa was just fed up with watching instead of playing.
Meanwhile, Clatous Chama, another key player, was granted permission to attend to a “family commitment,” which many suspect might just be a tactical way to avoid the drama altogether.
Zambia’s national team is now preparing to face Chad with a skeleton squad, as a total of 10 key players have dropped out for various reasons. Joining Kangwa and Chama on the list of absentees are Lawrence Mulenga, Stopilla Sunzu, Lubambo Musonda, Miguel Chaiwa, Lameck Banda, Edward Chilufya, Patson Daka, and Fashion Sakala.
With so many missing stars, Zambia’s strategy seems to have shifted from “qualify at all costs” to “let’s just show up.” Insiders report that the technical bench is now trying to figure out if they still have enough players to field a proper team. “We’re calling it the ‘Whatever XI’ for now,” joked an anonymous source.
As fans speculate about the chaos in camp, Kamanga remained optimistic: “We will focus on the players in camp,” he insisted, though it was unclear whether he meant the actual players or just anyone who still had a pair of boots on hand.
Zambia’s showdown with Chad is set for tomorrow, and the nation will be watching—if only to see who turns up.
Nkani