By GWEN CHIPASULA –
A ROW has erupted between the futsal national team and MTN-FAZ Super League side Green Buffaloes over the availability of Chipolopolo defender Adrian Chama with just five days remaining before the 2016 Africa futsal Championship kicks-off in South Africa.
The Chipolopolo defence kingpin is also an integral member of the futsal squad that will be part of the eight African states tournament slated for April 14 to 24.
Chama’s arrival in camp was delayed to allow him to feature for the Chipolopolo in the two 2017 Africa Cup qualifier against Congo Brazzaville but the player has since failed to report for camp.
With Buffaloes kicking off the 2016 league campaign on sluggish note after recording a single victory from three games, Chama’s futsal assignment looks to be a long sought dream as he will be featuring for his Army club who face Nchanga rangers in Chingola this afternoon.
Zambia futsal committee vice-chairperson Mauro Sanna said in an interview yesterday that the technical bench has not received any news as to why Chama was not in camp with the rest of the team.
Sanna said national futsal team coach Augusto Lucio is now worried with then player’s absence.
The matter is further complicated by Buffaloes chairman Andrew Siame, who indicated that the club was ready to release Chama if a formal letter of request was written though the futsal technical team claimed that a letter of request was delivered the premier division club three weeks ago.
Sanna said the futsal team is scheduled to leave for South Africa on Tuesday adding that the absence of Chama was a major setback.
“It’s hard to plan with no information being given, the player is with his club and we are here worried not knowing if he will join us or not because he is up and down with Buffaloes. We need this key player,” Sanna said.
Zambia plays its first game on April 15 against Tunisia before taking on Mozambique and then hosts South Africa in group A.