“It would be unfair to place decades of football challenges on Keith Mweemba’s administration that is only a year and some months in office…” MISSING THREE AFCONS IN A ROW CAME AT A COST, RECOVERY WILL TAKE TIME By Godfrey Mwansa Chikumbi (FAZ Media Manager) There is no doubt that Chipolopolo’s recent results have disappointed […]

“It would be unfair to place decades of football challenges on Keith Mweemba’s administration that is only a year and some months in office…”

MISSING THREE AFCONS IN A ROW CAME AT A COST, RECOVERY WILL TAKE TIME

By Godfrey Mwansa Chikumbi (FAZ Media Manager)

There is no doubt that Chipolopolo’s recent results have disappointed the nation. The frustration of supporters is well understood because nobody is happy when Zambia loses. Nobody enjoys losing.

At the same time, it is important to look beyond the scorelines, statistics and understand where the national team is coming from. Truth be told, the current FAZ administration inherited a team that had already gone through years of instability and difficult transitions.

Zambia failed to qualify for the 2017, 2019 and 2021 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. Even after returning to the 2023 and 2025 AFCON finals, our performances showed that serious rebuilding work was still required.

Some people are circulating statistics from the last 20 matches under the current administration as proof that nothing is working. It is incorrect to share such numbers and mislead people, how can people count even Under 23 games? They even reduce the iconic Argentina friendly to a mere loss instead of a big achievement? Shouldn’t we be proud as a country to celebrate that our team played a former world champion? Even an already messed up World Cup qualifying matches atis being lumped on Keith Mweemba who has just been in office for a year and some months? Are we for real?

While numbers are important, they do not tell the whole story. Football teams do not become strong overnight, especially after years of decline. The real question should be whether there is a plan to rebuild and whether the foundations are being put in place for future success.

Football history shows that successful teams are built over time. Zambia missed the 2004 AFCON before gradually rebuilding to qualify for the 2006 and 2008 editions. It was only in 2010 that the team reached the quarterfinals and two years later won the AFCON title

That success was not achieved in one or two years. It was the result of patience, continuity and long-term planning.

One of the biggest challenges Zambian football has faced since winning AFCON in 2012 has been managing the transition from one generation to another.

Many football stakeholders believe that the post-2012 transition was not handled well enough. Several experienced players left the national team system without a smooth succession plan, while younger players were expected to carry the burden immediately. The effects of that period are still being felt today.

FAZ President Keith Mweemba and his administration have chosen the difficult but necessary path of rebuilding. Young players are being blended with experienced ones to create a balanced squad capable of serving the nation for years to come. Such a process comes with challenges, but it is a necessary step if Zambia is to build a competitive team again.

Mweemba has also shown confidence in local coaches. Rather than abandoning local expertise, efforts are being made to improve coaching standards through training and capacity building. This is important because strong national teams are built on strong coaching structures.

Criticism is part of football and leadership. Keith Mweemba has never shied away from responsibility.

However, it would be unfair to place decades of football challenges on an administration that is only a year and some months in office and one that is still laying the foundation for long-term success. Rebuilding is rarely smooth, and there will be setbacks along the way.

As stakeholders, this should also be a period of collecting ideas and building consensus around the future of Zambian football. Supporters, former players, coaches, clubs, administrators and sponsors all have a role to play. Many of our former footballers are now part of national team setups. This is because FAZ’s corporate strategic plan has been informed by the best ideas from across the football family and provide a clear roadmap for the future.

The challenges are real, but so are the opportunities. Zambia has overcome difficult periods before and emerged stronger. The rebuilding process requires patience, investment, planning and collective effort. While everyone wants immediate results, lasting success is built through consistency and a clear vision.

The responsibility to restore Chipolopolo to the top belongs to all of us. This is not the time to abandon the project. It is the time to support the team, support the players, contribute ideas and allow the rebuilding process to take shape. The journey may be difficult, but with unity and commitment, Chipolopolo will rise again.

All the best Chipolopolo as we take on Togo on Tuesday.