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Press Statement
(For Immediate Release)
Football Association of Zambia
Football House, Lusaka
06TH JULY 2022
FAZ PROVIDES UPDATE ON WAFCON ELIGIBILITY CASES
Following a flurry of inquiries in the aftermath of the statement by CAF over the ineligibility of some of Zambia’s key players at the Morocco 2022 Africa Cup of Nations for Women (WAFCON), the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) wishes to set the record straight.
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) was taken aback by the position of the Confederation of African Football that seemed to disown its own processes before a watching world media.
“It was a grossly unfair statement from CAF because all the federations participating in this tournament have been subjected to the competition rules which have been set by CAF. In this respect we were compelled to deal with medical requirements as part of eligibility. For CAF to turn around and say they were not aware is grossly unfortunate,” says FAZ president Andrew Kamanga.
“Whatever we do is part and parcel of what CAF requires. We did not exclude any player but in this case followed CAF regulations as prescribed by CAF.”
“CAF needs to apply the same standard used across various leagues and FIFA competitions for consistency since the excluded players remain eligible to play in their leagues,” Kamanga says.
“Regrettably, the players being denied an opportunity to showcase their skills on African soil have been free to play at FIFA and International Olympic Committee organized competitions that deploys a less stringent standard.”
Kamanga has urged the nation to rally behind the Copper Queens despite the challenges the team has faced in their chase for continental glory.
“For now, we urge the country to support the girls and give them an extra push and we engage the authorities in the background. We urge the public to respect the individual rights of the affected players as medical ethics demand that they enjoy the right to privacy,” he says.
“Most importantly let us support the excluded players at this hour and ensure that justice is accorded to them.”
The Copper Queens this afternoon plays Tunisia in their Group B encounter that follows through their 0-0 draw against Cameroon on Match Day One.
For and on behalf of:
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA
Sydney Mungala
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
