The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has launched an investigation into Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant in response to allegations made by striker Fashion Sakala.
Sakala’s omission from the national team may have just backfired for Grant, as it has opened up a can of worms about the Israeli’s selection bias.
Sakala has accused Grant of vowing never to hand him a national team call-up after the two fell out following Zambia’s dismal showing at the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
Zambia were booted out of the AfCON at the group stage after recording two 1-1 draws against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Tanzania and a 1-0 loss to Morocco.
Sakala is among the players who were scapegoats for Zambia’s poor showing, something the player does not take lightly.
However, in the latest fallout episode, Sakala has accused Grant of favoring players affiliated with his agent, Nir Karin.
“When you look at the national team now, you see a lot of players who are not even playing in their clubs, and they are part of the national team. Some of them, you can’t even tell me. When was the last time they played even 20 minutes?
“Yeah! But they are there at the national team because they are using the same agent [Karin]. How many times did the coach [Grant] tell me to use his agent… Telling me his agent is very good,” Sakala said.
FAZ to open inquiry
However, Football House has stated that it is taking the matter seriously.
“The Football Association of Association of Zambia (FAZ) has taken note of the serious allegations raised by its Saudi Arabia-based player Fashion Sakala and other stakeholders around player selection.
“Given the gravity of the allegations, FAZ will conduct its own internal investigations but also encourage all interested parties to report these matters to relevant judicial bodies, in this case the Ethics Committee,” FAZ said in a statement.
Meanwhile, FAZ secretary Rueben Kamanga called the public to bring fourth evidence.
“Matters of this nature require thorough investigations and therefore members of the public and all relevant stakeholders are encouraged to bring forth evidence to put this matter to bed,” Kamanga said.
The current happens throw a spanner in Zambia’s preparations for the upcoming World Cup qualifier matches with Morocco and Tanzania.
