Zambia are at risk of missing the women’s football tournament at this summer’s Olympics over charges against the country’s senior football officials.
Doubts have emerged over whether Zambia’s women will be allowed to compete at the Olympics in France this summer. It follows the potential threat of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) being suspended by FIFA.
FAZ president Andrew Kamanga stands accused of obtaining government funds under false pretences and involvement in conspiracy to defraud. Reuben Kamanga, FAZ general secretary, and support staff Madalitso Kamanga and Jairous Siame have also been charged. But all have denied those charges.
The Guardian reports that FIFA has already written to FAZ to request relevant documents “received in relation to the accusations”. FIFA additionally instructed FAZ to hold its AGM after an injunction accusing Kamaga of changing the governing body’s constitution without following procedure was filed in the country’s high court to stop it taking place.
#Zambia 🇿🇲
The Zambia women’s football team faces a looming exclusion from the upcoming Olympics as FIFA issues a stern warning to suspend the nation’s football association (FAZ). https://t.co/5Hdj0TN4lx
— Rab Sports (@RabSportsNews) April 30, 2024
Failure to hold the AGM could be grounds for FIFA suspending FAZ’s membership. The knock-on from that would be the women’s national team not getting the chance to take part in the Olympic tournament.
Zambia’s Racheal Kundananji became the most expensive female player in the world in January when she moved from Madrid CFF to NWSL side Bay FC for a record fee of $860,000 (£625,000).
If the FAZ situation is resolved without suspension from FIFA and Zambia are allowed to go the Olympics, they will face three tough games but will back themselves to cause an upset. The Copper Queens are due to face Emma Hayes’ USWNT on July 25, followed by Australia three days later, and then Germany on July 31. They famously pulled off a 3-2 friendly win over Germany in the build-up to last summer’s World Cup.
