By MICHAEL MIYOBA
THE Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) says it will next year honour the Chipolopolo class of 2012 that won the Africa Cup of Nations to mark ten years since the achievement in Gabon.
FAZ president Andrew Kamanga said the association also plans to build on the plans for honouring the Gabon disaster heroes through various activities building up to 2023 which will mark 30 years since the fateful plane crash.
Meanwhile, Kamanga has hailed Chipolopolo legends who had previously gallantly fought for the Zambian jersey for rolling back the years of glory during the 28th year commemoration of the Gabon Air disaster with an exhibition match at Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
Kamanga said FAZ has resolved to formalise the association with legends through a decision that will go through the annual general meeting later this month.
He said FAZ wants to have Chipolopolo legends accorded a permanent platform where they can contribute regularly instead of showing only when there is an event.
“We were privileged during the 28th Gabon Memorial ceremony to be joined by legends of our beautiful game. Legends from the KK11 and Chipolopolo era clashed on the pitch at National Heroes Stadium.
“It was good to see players who had previously gallantly fought for the Zambian jersey roll back the years of glory,” Kamanga said.
“We were happy to tap into their wisdom and experience. Arising from that interaction we have resolved to formalise our association with legends through a decision that will go through the annual general meeting later this month.”
It is not good enough to just interact with them when there is an event but rather, we want to have them accorded a permanent platform where they can contribute regularly.
Meanwhile, Kamanga has thanked Zanaco Bank for their contribution towards the Tokyo 2020 to be played in July this year.
Kamanga said the association is hopeful that the K157, 000 donation from Zanaco will open the door for many other corporate bodies to come on board.
FAZ through the Copper Queens fundraising committee is seeking US$2 million meant to help the Copper Queens prepare adequately for the Tokyo games where they will be the only team representing Africa.
Kamanga said the team will be afforded some international friendly matches aligned to the opposition in their group where they will play Brazil, Netherlands and China.
