PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
30th December, 2025
GOVERNMENT EXPRESSES DISAPPOINTMENT WITH CHIPOLOPOLO PERFORMANCE AT AFCON 2025
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The government has expressed disappointment with the performance of the Zambia Senior Men’s National Football Team at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) currently taking place in Morocco.
Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts, Hon. Elvis C. Nkandu, MP, said the government was not satisfied with the showing of the national team, particularly given Zambia’s history as former African champions.
“I am disappointed by the performance of our boys. We need to immediately start reorganising ourselves. Our players did not show the required character, patriotism, sense of responsibility, and will to win that is expected when one wears the national jersey,” said the Minister.
Hon. Nkandu noted that Zambia’s failure to register a win and amassing two points from a possible nine was a poor outcome for a nation that has won the Africa Cup of Nations before.
“This is not a good showing for former champions. We urge the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), the technical bench, and the players to introspect and ask themselves if these are the results they truly wanted for the country,” he said.
The Minister has further reminded stakeholders that there were very rich submissions made during the National Football Indaba convened on the 1st and 2nd of December, which must now be fully utilised.
“We need to tap into the very rich submissions from the Indaba. Those recommendations were meant to guide reforms in Zambian football, and this performance shows that implementation can no longer be delayed,” Hon. Nkandu emphasised.
While the government recognises the progress being made by age-group national teams, the Minister expressed concern that the performance of the senior men’s national team has remained average and, in some instances, poor.
“The growth of our junior national teams is commendable. However, the senior men’s team has not matched that progress, and this is an issue that must be urgently addressed.”
Issued by:
Nchimunya Bobby Ng’andu (Mr.)
Principal Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts
Minister, we need to be honest with ourselves. To start with what do you expect from a FAZ that goes to resurrect Kalusha and his hench men to take charge? Kalusha and his friends are like PF just there to eat government money and allowances. The previous old coach had to let Patson Daka to stay out. FAZ in it’s wiared thinking appointed a coach that even AFCON considered unqualified! You saw how Patson behaved when he was called to be substituted. He was shaken and chickened out in the final game. How can a real coach take Sunzu to such a huge game and even has the guts to tell the nation about Sunzu being ill and unable to train. We don’t need players that are only available to avail themselves to collect government funded allowances. This is a scandal and government should investigate and get to the bottom of things. I personally believe Kamanga was better. Kalusha, his colleagues, Sunzu, player selectors and other dead wood lining up to collect allowances must go including the unqualified coach. Enough is Enough!
If we want correct things in Zambian Football, let’s first answer this multiple choice question and then we can start from there?
Question: what or where is the problem in the Zambian football?
a. FAZ
b. Coach
c. Players
d. All the above
e. None of the above
Once we find the answer, let’s act immediately and revamp the Zambian football. We should also avoid looking behind, while we appreciate that Sunzu kicked the winning penalty in 2012, I don’t think he can still do the same 13 years after. The same with our once BBC African Footballer of the year, the great Kalu. These people remain our football heroes in Zambia but should not reappear again on the football stage, we already clapped for them and others now should be left to work. Otherwise as a nation, we are very disappointed mwandi and our Minister of Youth and Sport Hon. Elvis Nkandu is one of the most hardworking Ministers in the UPND Cabinet, I don’t know how he is feeling now. If us citizens are so sad, I am sure it’s worse for him.
Chipolopolo can never win afcon or even reach semi finals at world cup in its current form. Stop wasting money on them. The only competition where they might have a chance is cosafa.