Zambian football figures call for patience and unity

Zambian football figures are calling for unity and patience amid ongoing criticism of the national team, Chipolopolo. Former international striker Nchimunya Mweetwa has urged former players to act as technocrats rather than fans. Mweetwa argued that former internationals should use their direct access to coaches and officials to provide private advice instead of publicly condemning players and authorities on social media, noting that public attacks can damage the mental confidence of young athletes.

Supporting this call for restraint, Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Media Manager Godfrey Mwansa Chikumbi has asked supporters to be patient with the team’s rebuilding process. Chikumbi attributed recent struggles to the long-term consequences of missing three consecutive Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments. He also challenged the accuracy of certain statistics being used to criticize the current administration, suggesting that some figures incorrectly conflate different levels of football, such as Under-23 matches, with senior international results.