Zambia’s football community is reeling from a deepening crisis surrounding the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) presidential election, a saga that threatens to tarnish the nation’s proud footballing legacy.

At the heart of the controversy is incumbent FAZ President Andrew Kamanga, who was declared re-elected unopposed after eight rival candidates were disqualified from the race. With the government stepping in, legal challenges looming, and the specter of a FIFA ban on the horizon, the situation has spiraled into a full-blown debacle.

Zambian football, once a beacon of triumph with the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations victory, now faces an uncertain future.

A Controversial Victory

The trouble began when the FAZ Electoral Committee invalidated the nominations of eight out of nine presidential hopefuls, leaving Kamanga as the sole candidate. Critics, including disqualified contender Godfrey Chikumbi, a journalist and vice-president of Mansa Wanderers, have cried foul, alleging manipulation and a lack of transparency in the process.

Chikumbi, speaking on Diamond TV, vowed to take the matter to court, arguing that the disqualifications were unjust and aimed at entrenching Kamanga’s power. “I know justice will be guaranteed in the courts,” he declared, signaling a readiness to risk FIFA’s wrath rather than accept what he sees as a tainted outcome.

Kamanga, who unseated Zambian football icon Kalusha Bwalya in 2016, has long been a polarizing figure. His tenure has seen successes, such as the women’s national team qualifying for the Olympics, but it has also been marred by accusations of authoritarianism and financial impropriety. Last year, Kamanga and three associates faced charges of misusing government funds to send non-FAZ personnel to the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast—an allegation they deny but which has fueled distrust among fans and stakeholders.

Government Intervention Sparks FIFA Fears

The situation escalated when the National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ), backed by the Attorney General, issued an ultimatum: FAZ must hold fresh elections by February 28, 2025, or the government will not recognize Kamanga’s leadership. NSCZ Director Sombwa Musunsa framed this as a move to “create harmony” rather than interference, pointing to the expiration of the current FAZ executive’s term on that date.

However, FIFA, football’s global governing body, famously intolerant of third-party meddling, is watching closely.

Posts on X reflect a growing unease among Zambians, with some warning that government overreach could trigger a FIFA suspension, barring Zambia from international competitions. Miles Sampa, Matero Member of Parliament, cautioned that such a ban would enrage fans and jeopardize the men’s and women’s teams’ participation in upcoming continental tournaments.

“Football is not just a game in Zambia, but a religion,” Sampa wrote, echoing the late commentator Dennis Liwewe. The stakes are high: a ban could undo years of progress and alienate a nation that lives and breathes the sport.

A Pattern of Power Plays

This is not the first time Zambian football has faced such turmoil. Fifteen years ago, a rival FAZ executive emerged to challenge Bwalya’s leadership, citing legal legitimacy backed by the NSCZ.

That episode ended without a FIFA ban, but it exposed the fragility of football governance in Zambia. Today’s crisis feels eerily familiar, yet more combustible. Kamanga’s critics accuse him of erasing Bwalya’s legacy, literally, by removing photos of the 2012 triumph from Football House and figuratively, by stifling competition.

Chikumbi’s claim that “Kamanga doesn’t like competition” resonates with those who see the disqualifications as a calculated move to cling to power.

The FAZ electoral roadmap, unveiled in December 2024, promised provincial elections starting March 15 and a national congress on March 29.

Yet, with the government’s deadline looming and legal action pending, that timeline is in jeopardy. FAZ General Secretary Reuben Kamanga (no relation to Andrew) has sought clarification from the NSCZ, but the clock is ticking.

If Chikumbi succeeds in court, or if FIFA deems the government’s actions as interference, Zambia could be sidelined from global football just as its teams are poised for prominence.

What’s at Stake?

Beyond the power struggles, this debacle risks damaging Zambia’s footballing soul. The Chipolopolo’s 2012 victory over Ivory Coast remains a unifying national memory, forged in the shadow of the 1993 air disaster that claimed an entire generation of players.

Today, both the men’s and women’s teams stand on the cusp of greatness, with Olympic and AFCON aspirations in sight.

A FIFA ban would shatter those dreams, leaving fans to wonder if their passion is being sacrificed on the altar of politics and personal ambition.

The government, FAZ, and the courts must tread carefully.

FIFA’s rules are clear: national associations must operate independently. Yet, the NSCZ’s intervention reflects a broader tension between sovereignty and international oversight—a tension Zambia has navigated before. The question is whether all parties can prioritize the game over their egos.

A Call for Clarity

As of now, Zambian football hangs in limbo. Kamanga’s supporters argue he has modernized the sport, pointing to infrastructure bids and international qualifications. His detractors counter that his leadership has bred division and mistrust.

What’s undeniable is that the current impasse serves no one—least of all the fans who pack stadiums and the players who wear the copper and green with pride.

The coming days will be pivotal. Will FAZ bow to the government’s deadline? Will the courts halt the process? Or will FIFA drop the hammer? Whatever the outcome, one thing is clear: Zambian football deserves better than this circus.

It’s time for transparency, accountability, and a return to the spirit that lifted the nation in 2012. Anything less is a betrayal of the beautiful game.

Kalumbu Lumpa is a media practitioner in Zambia. He writes in his personal capacity.