By GRACE CHAILE –
ZAMBIA Sports Fans Association (ZASPOFA) strongman Peter Makembo has lashed out at the poor treatment accorded to the Shepolopolo saying the lasses needed to be treated like the men’s national teams.
Meanwhile, it is understood that an inquest by the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) was instituted yesterday following the revelations to find out which players or officials gave the story to the Times of Zambia.
An insider said that the association wanted to drop whosoever would be discovered to have spoken to the newspaper though there is a strong hint of a revolt should any member of the squad be dropped from travelling to Namibia.
The Shepolopolo beat Zimbabwe to clinch a historical appearance at the championship but have bemoaned failure by FAZ to pay them allowances during the qualifiers, a situation that has been compounded by poor diet in camp.
Commenting on revelations that the Shepolopolo have been subjected to a poor diet that comprised nshima with kapenta and beans, Makembo said it was unfair to ask the women team to deliver results under such circumstances.
Makembo regretted that the women team was not given the same treatment as the men’s team when they were preparing for an important task in Namibia, the 9th edition of the Africa Women Championship.
“It is vividly clear that the Shepolopolo are not well supported as the men’s team. Why can’t they receive the same treatment as the men’s Under-17, 20 and the senior team? These are women going to Namibia to represent the country and not going there for personal gain,” he said.
Makembo said the fact that the Shepolopolo will be carrying the national flag at the tournament needed to be numerated well.
He said it was sad that the player had to beg for basic needs from home instead of the association providing them in camp.
“The players need to be numerated well because they put in the best just for Zambia to make a maiden appearance at the Africa Women Championship but they get such treatment. They need to be supported as a way of motivating them. My appeal is for FAZ to put their house in order and find ways of uplifting the spirit of the gallant heroines,” he said.
Meanwhile, coach Charles Bwale has joined the Shepolopolo who are today expected to play a friendly match against Cameroon ahead of the AWC that kicks off next weekend in Windhoek.
Bwale is on secondment by the Zambia Army for a year at Swaziland side Young Buffaloes on a request from that country army side.