Andrew Kamanga’s controversial unopposed re-election as President of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has been overturned by the FAZ Electoral Appeals Committee, reopening the race for the top football office in the country.
The Appeals Committee ruled that the declaration of Kamanga as FAZ President for a third term was premature and nullified the decision, effectively reviving the contest.
The ruling also overturned the disqualification of some of the eight other candidates, allowing them to challenge Kamanga for the presidency.
The development is a dramatic twist in a contentious electoral process that initially saw Kamanga stand unopposed after all his challengers were deemed ineligible.
The eight disqualified candidates had included former FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala, ex-Vice President Emmanuel Munaile, club owner Keith Mweemba, and journalist Godfrey Chikumbi, among others.
But the Electoral Appeals Committee has now reinstated four including former FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala, ex-Vice President Emmanuel Munaile, Hafwiti and club owner Keith Mweemba into the race to unseat Kamanga.
Their exclusion had raised serious concerns about the transparency of the electoral process.
With the Appeals Committee’s decision, the FAZ election landscape has been reshaped, potentially setting up a competitive battle for the presidency.
Kamanga’s bid for a third term had already faced backlash, with critics arguing that the vetting process was manipulated to eliminate competition.
Kamanga, a 58-year-old businessman and football administrator, had been declared winner last week after the FAZ Electoral Committee ruled that he was the only candidate who met the eligibility criteria.
However, the Appeals Committee found that some of the disqualified candidates had been unfairly excluded and reinstated their candidacies.
The ruling comes amid mounting dissatisfaction over Kamanga’s leadership, with critics accusing him of stifling opposition and failing to deliver on Zambia’s footballing potential.
While he has overseen governance reforms and development programs since assuming office in 2016, Zambia’s struggles on the international stage have fueled opposition to his continued tenure.
The Appeals Committee’s ruling now shifts the focus to the next steps in the electoral process.
With Kamanga’s automatic victory nullified, FAZ must now organize fresh elections, giving his reinstated challengers a chance to mount a campaign against him.
The decision has been welcomed by many within Zambian football circles, who believe it restores fairness to the process.
However, it remains to be seen whether Kamanga will challenge the ruling or attempt to regain his position through a new election.
As the FAZ election saga continues, the stage is now set for a fierce contest, with multiple candidates vying for the leadership of Zambian football.
The fallout from the decision could also have broader implications for Kamanga’s ambitions, including his bid for a FIFA Council seat next month.
