Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) President Keith Mweemba has responded to concerns raised by Paramount Chief Mpezeni regarding Fashion Sakala’s continued absence from the national team.
Chief Mpezeni questioned why Sakala has been ostracized since the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations and called on FAZ to forgive him and recall the Chipata prodigy to the Chipolopolo squad.
Speaking to journalists at Hotel InterContinental on the sidelines of the FIFA induction program on Wednesday for the new FAZ executive, attended by FIFA Regional Development Manager David Fani, Mweemba expressed respect for the Chief’s statement.
“We respect our chief, and he was merely expressing himself, and you have to respect that. But, obviously, these are not things that we can comment publicly,” he told reporters.
Mweemba also said that Zambia has yet to play a match since he took office at Football House and suggested that questions about Sakala’s inclusion should be directed to him after the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Morocco in September.
“Our next game is against Morocco. If Fashion Sakala will not be part of the team, then come and ask me that question. I hope I’ve answered the question,” Mweemba stated.
Sakala and Grant Dispute
Sakala has remained absent from the national team following accusations against coach Avram Grant, claiming he forced players to sign with his Israeli agent, Nir Karin. Grant dismissed the claims as “total lies” and demanded an apology from Sakala, who refused.
In May, ahead of the FAZ elections, Sakala also accused former FAZ president Andrew Kamanga of betrayal, claiming Kamanga advised him to speak out against Grant.
“Mr. Kamanga should be the first one to apologize to the coach. And me being there, I will apologize too. But not me apologizing on my own. No. I am not going to do that,” Sakala said.
He added, “I am sorry. To those who expect me to apologize, I am not going to do that. I love you Zambia. I am going to do everything it takes to support Zambia, but I am not going to apologize.”
“This is the time for me to deliver the message because Mr. Kamanga is a betrayer. He is a betrayer. He betrayed me. You know, after all these things that me and him spoke about in secret, he’s going live, having interviews and start telling people.”
Sakala also denied reports of strained relationships with his national teammates following a leaked audio in which he claimed some teammates only score tap-in goals but are overly praised by FAZ media.
He was omitted from the recent squad for friendly matches against Tunisia and Sudan last month, although those matches were later cancelled.
Meanwhile, Grant maintained that he would not recall Sakala until he apologised to him and his teammates.
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