Minister of Youth, Sport, and Art Elvis Nkandu has urged coaches and stakeholders to prioritise merit when selecting players for the senior national team.
Chipolopolo Boys head coach Moses Sichone recently unveiled his 55-member preliminary squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, set to begin on December 21st in Morocco. He is expected to trim the squad to the final 23 players who will travel for the tournament.
Meanwhile, Nkandu expressed concern over the national team’s selection criteria and called on all involved to ensure that only deserving players receive call-ups.
“From time to time, concerns are raised about how players are selected for the Chipolopolo, whether the process is free from underhand practices, whether external influences such as agents play a role, and whether our national team consistently reflects the very best talent available,” Nkandu said during the football indaba on Monday in Lusaka.
“These concerns are not new, and they speak to the passion Zambians have for football. As a government, we continue to emphasize the need for transparency, integrity, and merit-based selection at every level of our game,” the minister said.
“It is important that all stakeholders, coaches, and partners uphold the highest standards to ensure that the Chipolopolo is always represented by the most deserving players, chosen purely on performance, commitment, and national pride,” he added.
Sichone and his technical bench are expected to announce the final AFCON squad soon.
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