Zambia’s minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, Mulambo Haimbe, has said Chipolopolo Boys forward Fashion Sakala and all the foreign-based players are safe amid the Middle East unrest.

The Gulf region is currently a hotspot due to the ongoing tensions that have resulted in a war affecting Iran, which was earlier attacked by the USA and Israel. The war has escalated, leading to a number of flights being cancelled in and out of the region. There is panic due to the bombing that has taken place in the major cities.

The Zambian contingent in the Middle East is led by Sakala, who plays for Al Fahya in the Saudi Pro League, with Joshua Budo Mutale, Emmanuel Banda, and Kennedy Musonda, all playing in the second tier of the Saudi league. 

Others are Kings Kangwa, Songa Chipyoka, and Susan Katongo, all in Israel, as well as Enock Sakala, who recently moved to Gulf United FC in the United Arab Emirates.

Minister responds to concerns

Responding to a comment from Matero Member of Parliament Miles Sampa, who wanted to know if the government had been in touch with the Zambian captain, Sakala, Haimbe assured that teams in charge of establishing contacts with Zambians in that region have been in touch with Sakala and others affected by the war.

“Indeed, we do value each and every one of our citizens, all of us being equal before the law and equal in our citizenship as a country,” Haimbe told Parliament on Wednesday.

“We specifically treasure those that have lifted the country’s flag very high, such as Fashion Sakala and other heroes of this country. I can assure the Honourable Member that the teams that have been given the duty of tracking each and every Zambian have equally been in touch with those in Saudi Arabia, and we are keeping a close eye on them. All of them are our national treasures.”

On Wednesday night, midfielder Kangwa, who plays for Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the Israeli Premier League, reassured fans about his safety and confirmed that he had returned to Zambia.

“Dear everyone, I would just like to let you know that I have safely arrived back home in Zambia. Thank you to everybody who has been checking on me and sending messages to make sure I am safe. I truly appreciate the support,” he stated in a Facebook post.

He also revealed that Copper Queens midfielder Evarine Susan Katongo is expected to return home in the coming days.

“She was kutali [far] but she will come; we are talking and helping everyone who’s left,” he responded to a comment from one of his followers, Steven Phiri, who enquired about Katongo’s possible evacuation from Israel.