Former Zambia international striker Signs Chibambo has called for greater respect and recognition of former players and coaches at local football stadiums.
Chibambo also cautioned that the country risks losing touch with the very foundation of its football heritage. He expressed concern over the treatment of former football figures, many of whom he said continue to attend matches out of passion despite facing financial challenges.
“It hurts… it really hurts to see what our football has become,” Chibambo said. “Most of our former players—from the Kalusha Bwalya era to the heroes of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations—are not financially stable today. But their love for the game has never faded.”
Chibambo disclosed that he recently witnessed an incident where a former national team coach was allegedly mistreated at a stadium gate, being asked to pay an entry fee and nearly pushed by security personnel.
“I witnessed something heartbreaking. A former Zambia national team coach was asked to pay at the gate and nearly pushed. An elderly man who once proudly wore the national jersey was told to pay K200—money he didn’t even have,” he said.
“These are men who carried our flag and gave us unforgettable moments. Today, they are met with humiliation instead of respect.”
This is bigger than a ticket – Chibambo
Chibambo called for the need for improved systems at stadiums, including better training for security personnel to recognize former players and officials.
“Security personnel must understand the game and the legacy of the people they deal with. There has to be a proper system to identify and honour our legends,” he said.
He acknowledged the importance of revenue collection but stressed that dignity and respect must come first.
“This is bigger than a ticket. This is about dignity, history, and respect. We cannot keep embarrassing the very people who built Zambian football,” Chibambo said.
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