Faz records contradict own ruling as lusaka Tigers correspondence confirms lombe’s tenure
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) finds itself in a credibility crisis as new evidence presented by Mumbo Lombe, a disqualified FAZ presidential aspirant, directly contradicts the association’s own ruling regarding his eligibility. FAZ had earlier ruled that Lombe did not meet the required five years of football administration experience, but official records now prove otherwise.
Appearing on Crown TV, Lombe confirmed that he has formally appealed FAZ’s decision, stating that his leadership credentials far exceed the minimum experience threshold required to contest for the presidency. He criticized FAZ’s assessment methodology, arguing that the association ignored critical years of service and misrepresented his administrative record.
At the heart of the controversy is official documentation from Lusaka Tigers FC, where Lombe has served in a leadership role. He presented correspondence and AGM minutes from 2019 and 2021, in which the club formally notified FAZ of its office bearers. These documents clearly confirm his leadership roles, which were structured in two-year terms a system that directly refutes FAZ’s claim that he lacked the necessary experience.
Lombe highlighted a critical error in FAZ’s interpretation of his tenure. Instead of calculating his years in office, FAZ wrongly assessed his eligibility based on football seasons, leading to a misleading conclusion that disqualified him from the race. In response, Lombe laid out a detailed timeline of his leadership at Lusaka Tigers:
- 2019: Leadership role officially confirmed
- 2020: Continued leadership at the club
- 2021: Reconfirmed in office as per AGM records
- 2022: Continued service in club leadership
- 2023: Further proof of administrative role
- 2024: Ongoing leadership role this year
- 2025: Active leadership confirmed for the current year
By presenting documented proof of his tenure, Lombe debunked FAZ’s ruling, questioning the association’s motives in interpreting his eligibility through a football season framework rather than established administrative terms.
Lombe further provided membership cards and supporting documents that FAZ failed to acknowledge, reinforcing his case that eligibility criteria cannot be changed retroactively. His appeal raises serious questions about whether FAZ is shifting the goalposts to selectively bar candidates from contesting.
With his appeal now in motion, Lombe is awaiting FAZ’s response whether the association will correct its oversight and recognize his years of service, or if his disqualification will stand despite clear contradictions in FAZ’s own records.
The unfolding controversy has cast doubt on FAZ’s transparency in handling electoral matters, raising concerns among football stakeholders about the integrity of the electoral process and fairness in leadership selection within the country’s football governing body.
What does FIFA follow football season or club administrative terms?
Both national and club behavior is the same. Suppress competition at any cost to get ahead. Awe shuwa. Soon aspirants will have to prove both parents are Zambians. And also produce a white chicken and five Bird of Paradise feathers.
But surely even for this electoral committee, what is wrong with for example saying you have been nominated by a wrong candidate, can you correct this, than throwing people out of the race and narrowing the competition. My suggestion is that this committee must be banned for life from any football related matters. It appears the major interest was to vet people out, why not tell them to normalise any anomalies
Then over the weekend we will have some football radio talk show.
The moderator will start with the usual, it is a beautiful ….. afternoon, all the time, even when Zambia looses.
Then more laughter than analysis will follow, then people will be phoning asking for jerseys, then all will be laughing. And not conscious of time.
Then they never talk about let’s say this is the soccer fans calendar or program for the year, or fund raising ventures for fans to go and support Zambia for various assignments. To them soccer is all about administrators, coaches and players.
Cancel that forged win, hold fresh erections so we can see who is man enough.
One can not deal an honesty integrity test while under DEC investigations and the passport is confiscated as a result. Please come out clean. Allow competition.
As long as he can present credible evidence that he qualifies then there should be no reason for the appeals committee to let him contest.
“did not meet the required five years of football administration experience” That rule should not be acceptable anywhere in Zambia even if FIFA passes it. It is unconstitutional. You cant bar people from standing because they have no experience. You let the voters decide. In Yaounde that would have barred Samuel Eto from standing. But Only crimes should stop someone from standing in any election. Another FAZ is lying in wait next month