Andrew Kamanga has secured another term as the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) President after emerging as the sole successful candidate from a field of nine aspirants. Despite eight challengers vying for the top position in next month’s FAZ Elective Annual General Meeting, their nominations were deemed unsuccessful.
Among those who sought to challenge Kamanga were former FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala, former FAZ Vice President Emmanuel Munaile, and MUZA proprietor Keith Mweemba. Other aspirants included journalists Godfrey Chikumbi and Alex Njovbu, football administrator Francis Hafwiti, Machacha Shepande, and Mumbo Lombe.
During a press briefing, FAZ Electoral Committee Chairman Ronald Haatongo confirmed that all eight challengers failed to meet the constitutional requirements necessary to contest the elections.
“For the position of president… again, like I said, we are guided by the statutes and the criteria I outlined. If you fail the integrity test or any one of those standards set by the constitution, you fall off. We don’t compromise; we are only guided by the law, nothing else,” stated Haatongo.
He further explained that after a thorough review of all nominations, only Kamanga met the eligibility requirements.
“There were nine contestants for this position, and out of those, eight were invalid. Only one candidate presented documents that were in good order, and his name is Mr. Andrew N. Kamanga.
By virtue of the powers vested in me by the FAZ statutes, I, Ronald Haatongo, being the returning officer, hereby declare Andrew N. Kamanga duly elected FAZ President for the period 2025 to 2029.”
Despite this development, the disqualified candidates still have an opportunity to appeal their exclusion, with the deadline for appeals set for Friday.
As the football community reacts to this outcome, all eyes will be on whether any of the aspirants will challenge the decision and what it means for the future of Zambian football governance.