After a series of rulings by the Football Association of Zambia’s (FAZ) Player Status Committee in favor of the players and a coach, Nkana was ordered to pay two of its former players over K400,000.

The Footballers and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (FAWUZ) has revealed that the judgments, released this week.

According to the ruling dated 13 August 2025, Nkana must pay Mangani Banda K202,000 and Shadreck Musonda K200,250 within 30 days. The decisions warn that failure to comply will see the matter referred to the FAZ Disciplinary Committee for sanctions.

The affected teams include Nkana, Indeni, Chambishi and Kitwe United.

FAWUZ General Secretary Joe Kasapo Kaunda welcomed the rulings, saying they underline the importance of protecting players’ rights.

“While FAWUZ does not take pleasure in penalising clubs, the wilful and deliberate failure to pay players and unwarranted breaches of contractual obligations makes it inevitable for us to seek justice for our members,” Kaunda said.

Additionally, the union cited Nkana’s prior inability to pay former defender Gift Zulu, who was due K155,000 in bonuses and gratuities that went back more than three years.

A payment plan was secured in that case after union intervention.

FAWUZ legal representative Friday Mwandila said the latest decisions were not only about justice for the players but also a reminder to clubs about their obligations under labor law.

“These decisions are important, first because the players eventually obtained justice after going through a complicated experience with their employers, but also because it reminds football clubs that labor law does apply to their employment relationship with players,” Mwandila said.