Africa-Press – Zambia. FAZ President Keith Mweemba has expressed deep disappointment over what he describes as an “act of sabotage” that led to the cancellation of a planned international friendly between the Under-17 Women’s National Team and Morocco.
Speaking in an interview, Mweemba revealed that the association had arranged three high-profile friendly matches for the Copper Princesses ahead of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, but only one against Colombia, eventually took place.
“We had arranged three friendly games against Colombia, Canada and Cameroon,” Mweemba said.
“But I think we all know that there is a political situation in Cameroon, so the friendly could not materialise. Unfortunately, they communicated that they were unable to make it, but everything was signed and arranged in advance.”
Mweemba added that the planned friendly against Canada also fell through due to logistical complications on the North American side.
“Then with Canada, I think there was a little bit of a technical problem on their part,” he explained.
“So what we did, when we realised that the other two friendly games could not take place, we spoke to our Technical Director, Mr Lyson Zulu, to arrange a match with a high-profile team in Morocco. We wanted their senior team to play with our under-17 girls and everything was arranged, the pitch, everything was done.”
However, just as the young Copper Queens were preparing to take to the field in Morocco, the match was mysteriously cancelled, with a false message allegedly circulating that Mweemba himself had ordered the friendly to be called off.
“The day when the game was supposed to take place, there was communication, I don’t know if we can call it anonymous communication, but I have the messages,” Mweemba revealed.
“The Technical Director shared them with me, where somebody, we don’t know how, communicated to the parties and said that me, as FA President of Zambia, was in Dubai and that I cancelled the friendly game.”
The FAZ boss said he was shocked by the claim, insisting he was in Ndola at the time, attending the Zambia vs Niger World Cup qualifier and the FIFA Club Management training.
“It was very surprising because I was in Ndola, and we know that Zambia was playing Niger,” Mweemba said.
“When the friendly could not take place, I was very shocked, but what disappointed me most was my name being brought into the picture, that I had given instructions that we didn’t recognise the friendly and it was cancelled. Obviously, we haven’t told the nation about that, but it is quite disappointing.”
The FAZ President hinted at internal foul play, describing the incident as possible sabotage meant to disrupt the team’s preparations.
“I think this is something we need to follow up on, and we need to get to the bottom of it because it is a very serious issue,” he said.
“How can I even give such an instruction when we want our girls to be adequately prepared for the World Cup? There must be some kind of sabotage somewhere, but we don’t want to accuse anyone because it’s unfair to speculate. I clearly take that one to be an act of sabotage.”
Despite the setback, the Copper Princesses managed to bounce back with a commendable 1-1 draw against Colombia, thanks to a late equaliser from captain Mercy Chipasula.
“Fast forward two, three days later, we played Colombia. We were trailing 1-0 but the girls showed character and came from behind,” Mweemba said.
“Captain Mercy Chipasula scored, and the game ended 1-1. That is good enough considering that the first time the Under-17 went to the World Cup, they didn’t have a friendly game as you heard from the coach.”
Mweemba expressed satisfaction with the team’s progress under coach Carol Kanyemba, emphasising that the draw against Colombia gave the technical bench key insights ahead of their opening World Cup fixture.
“The U-17 girls are well prepared for the World Cup,” he affirmed.
“I have been in constant touch with Coach Carol Kanyemba. I have watched them before, and they have a very good team. We would have loved to have at least not less than three friendly games, but we hope this is good enough. If we can come from behind and get a result, it gives hope to the coaches to know the areas to fine-tune before Sunday’s game.
Mweemba confirmed that FAZ Executive Committee Member Colonel Priscilla Katoba and Technical Committee Member Kenneth “Bable” Malitole were already in Morocco to support the team as they prepare to fly Zambia’s flag high on the global stage.
For More News And Analysis About Zambia Follow Africa-Press
