Zambia FA elections canceled amid looming FIFA ban

FAZ SG Reuben Kamanga (left), President Andrew Kamanga

and Vice President Justin Mumba (right):

Photo Credit: Football Association of Zambia.

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) elective annual general assembly scheduled for Saturday, March 29 2025 has been canceled due to a court injunction, amid lingering FIFA’s warning of a possible ban.

FAZ general secretary Reuben Kamanga says they have been served with a court order through their lawyers Joseph Chirwa and Company.

“I can confirm that FAZ has been served with a court order from Lewis and Nathan Advocates representing Humphrey Mwape Musonda. There is also a pending court action by Elijah Chileshe and Blackwell Siwale to restrain FAZ from proceeding with the AGM,” Kamanga told FAZ media.

“All the parties are represented by the same lawyers and FAZ has been left with no choice but to call off the AGM. In light of this development, members will be advised in due course of the next steps.”

The elections have been canceled with a delegation from FIFA, CAF, and regional block COSAFA having arrived in Zambia to observe the elections.

FIFA Deputy Chief Member Associations Officer Gelson Fernandes arrived in Zambia to observe the AGM alongside FIFA Senior Member Associations’ Governance Manager Ahmed Harraz.

CAF also assigned Director of the Member Association Division Sarah Mukuna and Director of Legal Affairs Felix Majani to the meeting while COSAFA deployed its Executive Director Sue Destombes and COSAFA Vice-President and Chairman of Competitions Timothy Shongwe.

The cancellation of the elections comes weeks after FIFA warned against the government’s interference in the AGM, saying only incumbent FAZ president Andrew Kamanga is authorized to chair the proceedings on election day.

The world football governing body warned that Zambia risked being banned from international football following the country’s sports council’s stance that it does not recognize the Kamanga-led FAZ executive committee.

The sports council had written to FIFA proposing the establishment of a transitional committee, an independent electoral committee, FIFA engagement, and a comprehensive review of the electoral process.

The build-up to the elections has been marred by controversy after the FAZ electoral body disqualified presidential candidates leaving incumbent Kamanga as the sole contestant only to make a U-turn.