FA boss Mweemba urges Zambia to go back home with CHAN trophy

Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Keith Mweemba has urged the Zambia national team to give a good account of themselves at the 2024 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) in a bid to help unlock sponsorship opportunities for the team.

Mweemba, who was flanked by his deputy Mutale Ng’andu said his executive had charted a remuneration package for the players that would increase as the team progressed in the tournament.

“It will be pointless, we have come here, spent money and then we come here as tourists and then go back in the first round,” he told FAZ Media. “It will be very embarrassing; it will be very difficult to convince well-wishers and the government to give us money going forward. We are speaking to a lot of well-wishers and conglomerates so let us make this easy.”

Mweemba challenged the players who had already tasted senior team duty to rise to the occasion and win the CHAN. “Some of you have played professional football already outside Zambia. Some of you here are already part of the senior national team and have played even when the foreign-based players come,” he said.

“Surely, gentlemen with great respect, why should we fail to win this tournament with these qualities that we have. Some of you have played outside Zambia before; you have been part of the national team set up.”

Mweemba assured the players that all outstanding arrears for players’ entitlements for previous assignments would be cleared. The Chipolopolo will play DR Congo on Thursday before facing Angola three days later. In the third Group A match Zambia will play Morocco before winding down group games on August 17 against Kenya.