Former Zambia international Noah Chivuta has supported Barbra Banda’s recent criticism of national team camp preparations, describing her concerns as valid while questioning the channel used to air them.

Speaking in an interview, Chivuta said the issues raised by the Copper Queens captain highlight long-standing challenges in the management of the national team.

“People would say it’s a criticism, but maybe the way things were channelled is not okay,” Chivuta said. “Those concerns are very valid, but maybe the channel which used to do that was not okay… it’s something we should learn about.”

Players Join National Team Without Clear Terms – Chivuta

Chivuta called for improved communication between players and the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to prevent misunderstandings and urged the formalisation of contracts, noting that players often join national duty without clear terms.

“When you are called to the national team, you don’t even know how much you’re going to be getting paid… they’ll just tell you verbally. The player must sign that and make sure, ‘I’m okay with whatever is going on.’”

“It somehow feels like the national team call-up is like the FA is doing players and coaches a favour… which it shouldn’t be like that,” he said. “You are selected on merit, and they have to treat you with due respect.”

Chivuta also pointed to cases where players incur personal costs or go unpaid, stressing the importance of transparency.

“Those kinds of communication… are very, very important… if someone is not okay, they can just say, ‘No, I’m not willing to come and play for free.’”

Meanwhile, FAZ head of media and communication Nkweto Tembwe dismissed claims of poor planning ahead of the FIFA Series, citing instead visa challenges involving foreign-based players.

He also confirmed that the players are indeed owed but did not reveal the exact amounts.

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