BARNABAS ZULU
FORMER Chipolopolo forward Fashion Sakala has launched a scathing attack on Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) President Andrew Kamanga, calling him a “betrayer” and “not an honest man.”
Sakala, who has not featured for the national team since 2021, was responding to Kamanga’s recent remarks on Hot FM, where the FAZ boss said Sakala needed to make peace with teammates and the technical bench before being considered for selection.
“The decision of the executive was to open an inquiry because the information came out in the public domain. Unfortunately, those who were expected to participate in the inquiry did not, including Fashion himself,” Kamanga said.
Kamanga added that although the coach-player issue seemed resolved, “it turned out that the issues raised didn’t touch on the fellow players. So, the players expect their colleague to make peace with them.”
But Sakala hit back strongly, denying any bad blood with teammates and accusing Kamanga of creating confusion.
“I am in good books with the players. It is Kamanga who has stirred confusion,” Sakala said. “Mr. Kamanga is not an honest person. He promised me that he would fire Grant; he did not. He also promised that I would be recalled to the national team, but that never happened.”
Sakala claimed Kamanga once told him to insult Grant after the coach allegedly sent Sakala an audio saying he wasn’t good enough for the national team.
“He told me to insult the coach, saying he should not disrespect senior players like myself,” Sakala said. He also accused FAZ of favouritism in social media updates. “Mr Kamanga and Mr Sydney Mungala have been sharing other Chipolopolo players’ performances, but not mine. If you post others, post about me too.”
Sakala refused to apologise, insisting, “I won’t apologise unless Mr Kamanga apologises to the coach and to me.”
On a leaked audio where he referred to teammates scoring “tap-ins,” he said, “That message was meant for FAZ people who overlook my club performances.
I didn’t mean to disrespect my teammates. I have never paid anyone for a spot in the national team, and I won’t start now.”
