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"We Must Learn to Trust Our Own" — Zambian Politician Reacts to WAFCON Defeat

In the wake of Zambia’s crushing 5-0 defeat to Nigeria in the quarter-finals of the 2024 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), UPND Lusaka District IPS, Honourable Matomola Likwanya, has expressed deep frustration at the handling of Zambia’s national women’s team and called for introspection across the footballing leadership in the country.

Lamenting the sidelining of local coaches like Bruce Mwape and the ousting of goalkeeper Hazel Nali, Likwanya accused the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) of bowing to external pressures and white supremacist mentalities at the expense of homegrown talent. He recalled how local coaching was undervalued despite Mwape’s successes—leading Zambia to the WAFCON semi-finals, defeating Germany, and nearly clinching continental glory.

“The Nigerians had a local coach, Justin Madugu, and we were sliced nicely. We must start appreciating local strength,” Likwanya said, in a stinging rebuke of decisions to replace Mwape with a foreign coach. He described the decision as misguided, highlighting how foreign coaches often lack the grassroots connection and long-term vision that local coaches bring.

In a passionate message, he also mourned the missed potential of a generation of Zambian female footballers and warned that time is running out for many of them: “The next two or more years, many of these players will be married, deformed, or dropped by clubs. Let’s now invest in youth at U17 and U20 level.”
Likwanya also criticized the FAZ’s treatment of Hazel Nali, noting that her only "crime" was reportedly demanding her owed allowances.

As the dust settles on Zambia’s exit from the tournament, the message from Likwanya is clear: for African football to thrive, it must trust and invest in its own people, its coaches, and its future stars.

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