The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president, Andrew Kamanga, has warned Zambian clubs not to avoid denying access to stadiums before kickoff on game day.
It has recently been observed that most Zambian Super League teams have developed a habit of locking their gates to prevent visiting teams from entering the stadium hours before kick-off.
Some teams go so far as to lock their dressing rooms, forcing visiting teams to change from their bus or the technical bench.
Visiting teams have also been seen jumping over the fence to get onto the field of play.
The most recent case involved Green Buffaloes, who claimed FC MUZA denied them entry to the Nakambala stadium over the weekend.
Kamanga has since warned the clubs to refrain from such behaviour, describing it as a “stone age.”
“As we wind up our leagues, we implore clubs to reflect on some of the barbaric habits they have embraced, like locking opponents away before kickoff.
“In the 21st century we do not expect that teams playing elite football can be relying on stone age tactics to win matches. We will be coming down heavily on these practices to weed our game of these levels of barbarism that are a terrible advert for our leagues,” said Kamanga in his weekly column on Monday.
The current 2023-24 league season will conclude in the next two weeks, with only two matches remaining.
Meanwhile, Red Arrows FC has already been crowned champions, while Nchanga Rangers, Lumwana Radiants, Athletico Lusaka, and Indeni FC have been promoted to the Zambian Super League.
Trident has been relegated, and three more clubs from the top flight will join them.
