The Zambian government has suspended its funding of the senior men’s national team after a series of disappointing results in their recent international matches, Afrosport reports.
The Chipolopolo had a dismal outing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, finishing fourth in Group E behind Morocco, Niger and Tanzania. Their must recent result was a 1-0 home loss to the Nigeriens in Ndola on Sunday.
Zambia also had a poor outing at the 2024 African Nations Championship in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, finishing bottom of Group A with no points behind Kenya, Morocco, DR Congo and Angola.
The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts and the National Sports Council were concerned about the Chipolopolo’s poor run of results despite financial backing that covered flights, accommodations, winning bonuses and the salary of head coach Avram Grant.
With Zambia currently going through economic problems, the sports ministry has requested FAZ to file in a report on how performances can be improved as well as measures on accountability and transparency, stressing that government support for the national team must be matched with better displays on the pitch.
Zambia will now turn their attention to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco from December 21, 2025 till January 18, 2026, and will battle the tournament hosts as well as Mali and Comoros in the group stage.
