Zambia FA rocked by resignations

Kalusha Bwalya

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has been thrown into turmoil by the resignations of three officials.

Committee members Henshel Chitembeya, Pivoty Simwanza and Violet Bwalya announced their departures at a dramatic press conference in Lusaka.

The trio said that they were frustrated by “lack of transparency and consultation” in the way FAZ is run.

Violet Bwalya told BBC Sport that they had major issues with FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya's management style.

She stated that keeping the lid on a boiling pot of frustration is not quite what she signed up for when she joined FAZ.

Violet Bwalya said: “We are the decision makers but most of the things we discuss are not implemented, so why should I be there?”

She added that the trio's grievances with Kalusha Bwalya (no relations) were many and varied.

“On the pitch he did very well. He's a legend, an icon who brought glory to Zambia and I always tell him that,” she added.

“But when it comes to administration, we are at different levels.”

In response, Kalusha Bwalya has taken umbrage at the trio's departure, believing it to be symptomatic of attempts to undermine him.

The 1988 African Footballer of the Year told journalists that his management style has always been underpinned by a spirit of dialogue, reconciliation and inclusiveness.

“Unfortunately, this has been taken by some to mean weakness on my part,” the FAZ president commented.

Zambia's most decorated footballer has previously expressed deep frustration at his inability to form a consensus around key issues affecting the governance of the game.

He added that it was incumbent upon all football administrators “to rise above pettiness and stop attacking individuals.”