The decision on who will be elected Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president will be taken to the ballot following the appeals committee’s decision to overturn the ‘re-election’ of incumbent Andrew Kamanga last week.
On February 17, Kamanga was declared ‘winner’ of the upcoming polls following the announcement that he was the only candidate in the race who had a successful nomination among the nine that had filed.
Following an appeal process, four of the eight that were disqualified at the first attempt have had their disqualification overturned, meaning they will challenge Kamanga at the election.
Those who have been thrown back into the contest are former FAZ general secretary Adrian Kashala. Lusaka lawyer and FC MUZA proprietor Keith Mweemba and former Chipolopolo vice-captain Emmanuel Munaile.
FAZ executive committee member Francis Hafwiti has also been roped into the race.
Unsuccessful appellants urged to go to CAS
Football House has revealed that the appeals committee has passed over 72 candidates across various positions.
“The FAZ Electoral Appeals Committee has concluded its sittings and formally notified all applicants of its decisions on the matters presented before it. Naturally, some appeals were successful while others were thrown out,” Football House chief executive officer Rueben Kamanga said in a statement.
Kamanga said FAZ embraced the principle of separation of powers which sees all the bodies make independent decisions.
He said at the moment, those who feel aggrieved can seek recourse with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Chikumbi accepts fate, backs Mweemba
Disqualified candidate, Godfrey Chikumbi has accepted his fate and will support Mweemba in the race.
“I’ll not go to court, neither will I be going to the court of arbitration for sports, to seek legal redress,” Chikumbi told BolaNews in an exclusive interview. “My stance has always been that this isn’t about Godfrey Chikumbi, but about Zambian football. I’ll not be selfish to delay this process by getting an injunction or anything. All I want is to support credible candidates and which is why I have officially endorsed Keith Mweemba for the FAZ president.”
Meanwhile, Kashala has declared his readiness to unseat Kamanga.
“Nothing will stop us from reshaping the Zambian soccer scene. I have been in football administration for over 35 years and I encourage you to walk with me as we move to the football house to make historical changes that will make our country proud,” Kashala said in a Facebook post reacting to the news from the appeals committee.
And despite the guidance from the National Sports Council of Zambia to hold elections tomorrow, FAZ will stick to the FIFA-approved electoral roadmap with provincial elections set for March 15.
“According to the schedule, provincial elections will start with Southern Province on March 15. The next cycle will move to Lusaka, Central, North Western, and from March 16, 17, 18, and 19, respectively,” a FAZ statement read in part.
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