. Mutafu

By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE and GRACE CHAILE –
THE Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has called on the Shepolopolo to be patient over their allowances owed for participating at the TN Mobile 9th Africa Women Championship (AWC) in Namibia.
The Shepolopolo, who were booted out of the AWC competition, staged a protest on Monday at the FAZ Technical Centre demanding to be paid their US$80 per day allowances promised to them during their stay in Windhoek.
Some players have refused to go back to their homes until FAZ settles what they are owed  after they were given K100 for transportation costs.
But FAZ treasurer Kelvin Mutafu, who was the team’s delegation leader, said in an interview yesterday that the players needed to exercise some patience as the country’s football governing body was looking into the matter administratively.
Mutafu said there was no point for FAZ to abandon the team after representing the country at the continental championship.
“There is no need to panic over the issue of allowances. FAZ is aware about it and we have engaged the Government to find a solution.
Government did not budget for the Shepolopolo but the matter is being looked into and I would like to urge the players to be patient because there is no need for them to worry, they did their part by playing for the nation and we have to do our part also,” Mutafu said.
Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili has also advised the players to put the country first ahead of money.
“The first thing that should be at heart is Zambia before other interests like money comes in. They must be patriotic enough to sacrifice for Mother Zambia. I advise the girls to put the interest of the country first and money last,” he said.