Rainford Kalaba, Zambia’s 2012 Africa Cup of Nations winner, has sparked outrage on social media following his one-hour interview on a YouTube podcast named ‘That Zed Podcast.’
Kalaba, who has appeared in 103 games for Zambia and scored 15 goals for the Chipolopolo Boys since his debut in 2005, has questioned why he is not called up to the national team.
“I have never been called. I cannot come to the national team when I have not been called. The last time they called me, we were going to play against Mozambique [under former Chipolopolo coach Sven Vandenbroek], and it brought so much politics,” Kalaba said.
According to the TP Mazembe legend, Sven asked him if he had any issues with the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ).
He also revealed that Sven told him that FAZ members were saying negative things about him.
“I was very shocked,” Kalaba revealed. “After we lost in Mozambique, he [Sven] called me to his room and asked me if I had any problems with the current FAZ.”
The 36-year-old went on to say Sven said, “I have been told a lot of things about you…. But I haven’t seen anything bad about you.”
Kalaba accuses FAZ of lying to Zambians
The former Zesco United midfielder called out FAZ to come out to clear his name accusing them of lying.
“Maybe that’s why they don’t call me. Maybe there are some things they lie to the Zambian people, ” he said. “They need to come out and say it because they damaged my name to other coaches that Kalaba is indiscipline.”
Fans, pundits, and others have had mixed reactions to his comments on the podcast. Some criticize him for being political, while others believe he is free to speak out.
Kalaba last played for Zambia in the 2019 AFCON qualifiers against Mozambique, which saw Zambia fail to qualify.
