NSCZ WILL NOT RECOGNIZE KAMANGA AFTER FEB 28th

The National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ), through a press briefing led by its CEO, Sombwa Musunsa, has announced that after February 28, 2025, Andrew Kamanga and the current executive of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) will no longer be recognized. This decision follows recommendations from the Attorney General, who stated that the tenure of the current FAZ executive will come to an end by February 28, 2025. Consequently, FAZ is required to hold its elections by this date and not later.

Initially, FAZ had scheduled its annual general elections to take place in Livingstone on March 29, 2025. However, this plan contradicts its own constitution, particularly Article 33 (3) and (4), which explicitly outlines the terms of office for the President, Vice President, and members of the Executive Committee. The constitutional provision states:

**“The President shall be elected by the Annual General Meeting for a period of four years. The term of office of the President shall begin after the end of the Annual General Meeting at which he/she was elected. No person may serve as President for more than three terms of office (whether consecutive or not).

Previous terms as Vice President or member of the Executive Committee shall not be considered in determining the limits of a President. The Vice President and members of the Executive Committee shall be elected for a period of four years. Their terms of office shall begin after the end of the General Meeting at which they are elected. They may serve for no more than three terms of office (whether consecutive or not).”**

According to this constitutional guideline, the tenure of the current President, Vice President, and Executive Committee, who were elected during the Annual General Meeting held on February 27, 2021, is set to expire at the end of the four-year period on February 28, 2025. This implies that after this date, their mandate ends, and any decisions or actions taken beyond this period would lack constitutional legitimacy unless they are reelected in accordance with the FAZ constitution.

The NSCZ has emphasized the importance of adhering to the constitutional timeline, stressing that FAZ must conduct its elections before the expiration of the current executive’s term. The council has also urged FAZ to appoint a credible Electoral Committee to oversee the election process, ensuring that the elections are conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner.

This development has significant implications for Zambian football governance, as it raises questions about the continuity of leadership and the potential impact on ongoing football programs and initiatives. The upcoming elections will not only determine the future leadership of FAZ but will also influence the strategic direction of football development in Zambia.

FAZ is now under pressure to comply with the constitutional requirements and organize the elections by the stipulated deadline to avoid a leadership vacuum. The football fraternity and other stakeholders are keenly watching how the situation unfolds, given its potential ramifications on football administration in Zambia.
By Mulenga Esther Chipampe