06/05/2025
FOOTBALL Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Andrew Kamanga has attributed Chipolopolo striker Fashion Sakala jnr long absence from the national team to a strained relationship between the player and some of his teammates.
Sakala has not played for the national team since January 21 last year. His omission came after he publicly criticized coach Avram Grant for favouring players that are under the agency of Israeli Player Agent Nir Karin.
Following Sakala’s public revelations, FAZ pledged to launch an official inquiry into the matter.
However, Kamanga has since disclosed that the investigation failed to materialize after key figures including Sakala declined to participate.
Speaking when he appeared on Hot FM’s Hot Seat programme on Tuesday, Kamanga said efforts to resolve the long-standing feud are however still ongoing, with the latest hurdle being reconciliation between the player and his teammates.
“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 said the issues between Grant and Sakala were at a point where they were more or less resolved but there was another twist to it.
“Initially, we were convinced the matter was between the coach and the player. Unfortunately, I will share with you what I have seen, between the coach and the player, there was almost an agreement in terms of resolving the issue.
“But then it turned out that the issues which had been raised [during the talks] didn't touch on the fellow players. So, the fellow players also have a position where they expect that their colleague [Sakala] is going to go back to them and make peace with them.
“So, this is the dynamic that…Because, for instance, comments were made that some of the players were given attention, and those who just score tap ins…that didn't sit well with the rest of the team,” Kamanga said
