Lusaka – The Zambian Government has announced the immediate suspension of financial support to the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Senior Men’s National Football Team, Chipolopolo, following what the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts described as poor performance in recent international engagements.
The decision, made public in a release dated 13 October 2025, stems from the government’s need for a clear justification for continued substantial public investment “in the absence of commensurate results on the pitch.”
The suspension will remain in place until FAZ provides a detailed response to the Ministry’s concerns no later than 20th October 2025. The government, guided by Minister Honourable Elvis C. Nkandu, demands that FAZ present a clear roadmap for the restoration and long-term sustainability of the men’s national team.
The Ministry, working with the National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ), has outlined three core areas requiring immediate clarification and action from FAZ. Firstly, the government requires details on the Performance Turnaround, the specific measures being taken to address the team’s current poor performance and to ensure the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of football in Zambia.
Secondly, it is demanding details on Coaching Accountability, which includes the steps being taken to monitor and ensure that the head coach is delivering according to the agreed terms of his contract. Finally, the Ministry requires a thorough Funding Justification, the reasons why government funding should not be suspended or terminated in view of the national team’s poor performance despite the substantial financial investment already made.
Despite the suspension of general financial support, the government affirmed its commitment to settle all outstanding financial commitments incurred to date. These commitments include salary arrears for both the men’s and women’s football coaches, winning and drawing bonuses, allowances, and other existing commitments.
Furthermore, the government reiterated that while the suspension is in effect, it will continue to allocate resources to support the national team and technical bench, covering expenditure on accommodation, air tickets, and a portion of the coach’s salary, recognizing that “football remains a cornerstone of Zambia’s sporting and cultural identity.”
Looking ahead, the NSCZ will introduce a new National Association Performance Criteria to govern the future allocation of funding to affiliated associations. This measure will tie funding adherence to the “highest standards of athlete and team performance” and focus on critical success factors, including the hiring of credible coaches and the establishment of robust athlete selection and development programmes.
The government underscored that while committed to supporting sports, transparency and accountability in the use of public funds are paramount.
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