Zambian Football Association Investigates Shocking Allegations Involving Women's Team and Officials

• Allegations of sexual abuse through coercion have emerged within Zambian football's higher echelons
• A report revealed allegations of high-placed officials within the Football Association of Zambia solicited favours from players in exchange for selection by the Zambian women's senior national football team
• While there was no concrete proof of the allegations, the association asked that those who had further information to come forward with it

A scandal is engulfing the Football Association of Zambian involving the Zambian women's senior national football team.

It has been alleged that unnamed officials within the organisation received sexual favours from certain players in exchange for selection into the Copper Queens squad, a clear abuse of power.

According to IOL, a statement from FAZ read:

"Although at FAZ we have no record of official complaints brought from anyone on the allegations, we consider the allegations very seriously and have opened an inquiry into the matter.

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"We shall collaborate with the Zambian police and other stakeholders in dealing with this matter."

The association asked anyone with information about sexual abuse among the "Shepolopolo" national team's players to report this to the association.

The Copper Queens have had a year to remember, claiming a bronze medal at the 2022 Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco back in July. They also won a maiden COSAFA Women's Cup in South Africa two weeks ago.

COSAFA Women's Cup final match report: Zambia stuns South Africa thanks to Barbra Banda winner

Zambia's women's football truly is in a golden generation.

The Copper Queens were crowned as the 2022 COSAFA Women's Cup champions after stunning South Africa 1-0 at the Wolfson Stadium in Gqeberha. The goal came in the 18th minute of extra time thanks to a header by the lethal Barbra Banda.

This is the first time that Zambia has won the tournament since it was established in 2002. There was an aspect of revenge to this result, as Zambia lost to Banyana Banyana in the semifinal of the 2022 Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco a couple of months ago. On that occasion, South Africa won 1-0.