After weeks of uncertainty and legal entanglements, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) is set to hold its much-anticipated elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 9 May 2025 in Kabwe. The meeting comes after the initial AGM scheduled for 29 March 2025 in Livingstone was abruptly halted by a court injunction—an obstacle that has since been lifted.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, the National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) has said that by Article 33 (3) and (4) of the FAZ Constitution, and in the absence of an Executive Committee, the General Secretary will chair the AGM.

Despite the directive, Andrew Kamanga’s campaign team insists that FIFA had already offered clear and binding guidance on how the meeting should proceed. They point to a letter from FIFA dated 13 March 2025, which responded to a directive from the NSCZ suggesting the formation of a transitional committee because Kamanga’s tenure had ended on February 28th.

FIFA warned that such a move would risk breaching FAZ’s statutory obligations. The global football body stressed that the association must operate independently and without interference from third parties, including the NSCZ.

“The FAZ Annual General Meeting must be chaired by the President of FAZ, Mr. Andrew Kamanga, and be attended by the FAZ Executive Committee, in accordance with the FAZ Statutes and regulations,” the letter stated.

AGM strictly for elections – NCSZ

The road to this AGM has been marked by controversy. Some media reports alleged that the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts deliberately sidelined the former FAZ president to prevent financial disclosures that could implicate the government. However, the NSCZ has firmly refuted these claims, clarifying that it is FAZ that owes money to the Ministry, not the reverse. The outstanding debts include unpaid user fees for the National Heroes and Levy Mwanawasa Stadiums.

“On the contrary, FAZ still owes the ministry through unpaid user fees to the National Heroes Stadium and Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. You may wish to note that the government continues to support FAZ in various ways, as was witnessed early this year when it assisted the Association with K10millon to offset some of its debts,” read the statement in part.

Amid the complex financial landscape, the NSCZ has resolved that the upcoming AGM will strictly focus on the election of a new Executive Committee. The presentation of financial statements—which candidates like Keith Mweemba had called to be included in Friday’s agenda—has been deferred to a later date, ensuring a more streamlined and focused electoral process.

“We wish to guide that the upcoming FAZ AGM should only have the election of new Executive Committee members as an agenda item. We further wish to guide that the financial statements be deferred to another date beyond the AGM.”

READ MORE: Pressure Mounts as Zambia Target First 2025 U20 AFCON Win vs Tanzania