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THE Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has cancelled the international friendly match against Jordan that was set for November 3 in Amman because of the crucial phase the MTN Premier Division League has reached.
FAZ spokesperson Erick Mwanza said there was need for the local players to maximise on time and training as it was hugely beneficial and valuable for the development of the local squad.
At a media briefing at Football House in Lusaka yesterday, Mwanza said the league calendar was packed up to December and the secretariat had considered the pleas of the various teams concerning release of some of their key players for this match and the impact it may have on the title race and relegation fights.
“We have since proposed to our Jordanian counterparts to consider hosting this match at another date. That process of consultation has since been reopened with Jordan and other stakeholders. We will keep you informed of the any further developments regarding the same,” he said.
“Owning to the crucial stage our league has reached, and pleas we have received from clubs, we have decided to cancel the friendly match,” he said.
Mwanza said the association wanted the league to finish on time so that clubs could freely release players ahead of the 2013 Council of East and Central African Football Associations (CECAFA) Senior Challenge set for Kenya starting on December 10.
And Mwanza said the friendly match against the Pharaohs of Egypt would go on as planned on November 14 with interim coach Patrice Beameulle expected to have a full strength Chipolopolo side.
Meanwhile, Mwanza has called on fans to turn up in numbers at Nkoloma Stadium on Sunday when Zambia takes on South Africa in a Costa Rica 2014 FIFA World Cup final round first leg qualifier.
Mwanza said the team missed qualification to the last finals held in Azerbaijan in 2012 after losing to Nigeria in the final round but that FAZ was confident that, with the investment put into the girls team in the last three years and the successful camp they’ve had over the last one month, the team would beat South Africa.
“The girls need the fans; that is why we have decided to waive the gate charges and we would like to appeal to all football fans and followers to take time on to get to Nkoloma in full voice and cheer the team.
The final round of CAF qualifiers for the 2014 U17 Women World Cup has Zambia v South Africa, South Sudan v Nigeria and Ghana v Equatorial Guinea; with the three aggregate winners of the final round fixtures representing Africa at the finals to be held next year.
