The Zambian government has announced the suspension of financial support to the senior men’s national team, Chipolopolo, following a series of disappointing performances in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The decision, outlined in a joint statement by the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts and the National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ), came a day after Chipolopolo’s 1–0 home defeat to Niger at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, a result that confirmed Zambia’s exit from the qualification race.
Zambia began their campaign with cautious optimism, buoyed by a morale-boosting 1–0 win over Tanzania. However, the final match against Niger exposed serious weaknesses in the team’s form and strategy.
Ghana-born striker Daniel Sosah scored the decisive goal in the 56th minute, completing a double over Chipolopolo after Niger had won 2–1 in Morocco.
The defeat left Zambia with just 9 points from 8 matches, well behind Niger’s 15 points, extinguishing hopes of a late surge to reach the global tournament. The statement reads:
“Government through the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts and the National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) wishes to express its utmost concern regarding the poor performance recorded by the senior men’s national football team in recent international engagements.
“As a key stakeholder in the development of football in the country, we believe it is essential to understand the rationale behind continued government funding in the face of these unsatisfactory performances.
“Despite the current financial constraints facing government, significant resources continue to be allocated to support the national team and the technical bench, including expenditure on accommodation, air tickets, winning bonuses, and a portion of the coach’s salary.
“This support has been extended at a considerable cost to the taxpayer, making it imperative for us to seek clear justification for its continuation, especially in the absence of commensurate results on the pitch.
“In this regard, the Ministry has engaged FAZ to provide a detailed explanation on the following matters:
“1. Measures are being taken to address the team’s current poor performance and to ensure the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of football in Zambia,
“2. Steps to be taken to monitor and ensure that the head coach is delivering according to the agreed terms of his contract, and
“3. Reasons why government funding should not be suspended or terminated in view of the national team’s poor performance despite the substantial financial investment.
“Government strongly believes that transparency and accountability in the use of public funds are paramount. Football remains a cornerstone of Zambia’s sporting and cultural identity.
“Beyond its entertainment value, it has the power to unite communities, promote national pride, and inspire youth to adopt healthy lifestyles. This is why government has remained committed to supporting the game through various interventions.
“However, we must ensure that public investment yields meaningful outcomes and drives real progress in football, like any other sport.
By providing a clear and compelling justification for the continued financial support, we are confident that together we can work toward building a stronger and more sustainable football sector that benefits all Zambians.”
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