The World Soccer Governing body FIFA has given the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) a go ahead to host the joint World and Africa cup qualifying game between Zambia and Algeria at Konkola Stadium on June 20.
This comes amid fears that Zambia might play its remaining games in a foreign country following many lapses FIFA security officer observed during the Zambia -Rwanda game last week.
FAZ President Kalusha Bwalya said FIFA allowed FAZ to host the game following the meeting the two associations had under the condition that FAZ should urgently address matters relating to security at the stadium.
Bwalya announced at a press briefing in Lusaka today that FIFA has issued some strong warning to FAZ which must be followed within eight days before they can be allowed to stage the match there next week on 20th June.
He said failure to address these concerns might result in FIFA staging Zambia’s remaining matches in foreign countries.
Bwalya further said FIFA has appointed an additional staff to look see to it that Zambia meets these concerns before the match is allowed to kick off.
He said FAZ has since started addressing these problems in order to ensure that it comply with the FIFA’s requirement adding that it will also take drastic measures to improve crowd control.
He also said as one of the security measures FAZ will open the doors to the stadium as early as 08:00 hours and close them at 13: 30, 30 minutes before the match kicks off.
Meanwhile, Bwalya has also announced that the gate charges for the Zambia, Algeria game has been revised with open wing being K40, 000 while VIP and group stand are still same at K200, 000 and K150, 000 respectively.
Bwalya said the gate charges have not been revised for profit but as a measure aimed at ensuring security at the stadium.
Meanwhile, the Association of National Team Supporters (ANTS) has cried foul over the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) decision to increase the gates charges for the open wing by K10,000 for the Algeria-Zambia game.
ANTS interim Secretary General, Bob Kayukwa says his association had expected FAZ to reduce the gates charges for the match following complaints from many soccer fans over charges during the previous Rwanda-Zambia match.
Kayukwa said FAZ should have increased the VIP charges while reducing on the open wing.
He told ZANIS sports in an interview in Lusaka today that soccer fans expected the charges to be fair following FAZ announcement last week that they will revise the gates charges.
Kayukwa has further accused FAZ of not listening to calls from soccer fans to have the team be camped in the country.
He said camping the team in South Africa is a waste of public resources because they are good and convenient hotels in the country where the team can train and save money.
He said camping the team in Zambia can help save the money on air tickets, and other expenses which can then be used to invite other foreign teams top play friendly matches and prepare the team adequately.
FAZ has today announced that it has increased the open wing charges from K30, 000 to K40, 000 but that the intention is to avoid over crowding at the stadium and not to make profits
ZANIS
So my uncle RB is going to be there!
Stop whinning and wateva…if u cant afford,dont go ku stadium..dis is a world cup qualifier and u xpect the same prices as COSAFA game???? We dont need FIFA making us play our home games elsewhere so its EYES ON THE BALL….Al the best boys!!!!!!
The fares are okey in that they want to restrict people from entering the stadium anyhow. Only those who can afford to pay can watch, otherwise the rest of the people can watch from their home on TV.
yaba!!! but zambia we are really slagging!! how can a country so big have not even have one ultra morden stadium!!! and we call ourselves a football nation! what i don’t understand with why our government never believes in puttting up proper infrastructures? sport is a gateway to the world!! and world will be watching the upcoming game!! so please lets try and make that stadium presentable before june 20 and please speed up construction of the new stadium!! lets try and look proffessinal for once!!
Waz there a stadium ban or just a caution on the state of the stadium? All the same, we have to reorganize the stadium. Even if the open wing charge waz 100pin, with poor organization, there wud still be chaos. But why go to SA in the first place and just for 5dayz?
Can some one rescue Zmbia by giving us a decent stadium. These treats FIFA gives us will come to bear one day. 45 years after the so called independence, we cant afford a good stadium honestly? The only thing we do best is to steal and pay lip service to important matters. I regret being a Zambian. Mwe Lesa take me to iceland!!!!!!
Kalu shouldn’t be allowed to lead FAZ for another term after the current one expires. this Kalu doesn’t have leadership qualities off the field really. one would be forgiven for confusing RB for FAZ president
I am not sure about the connection between ticket price increases and limiting the number of people coming to see the match. If great Kalu tells me the extra 10 pin on the price is to go to the extra security and safety measures being put in place in order to comply with FIFA requirements, then I am on his side otherwise he is kidding himself to think he can control the crowd by price increases. This is a must see game for any real chipolopolo fan outhere at whatever price! Any one of you bloggers been or seen any progress on the ground by the Chinese on the long promised new Dag in Ndola? I just don’t belive there is anything happening to deal with this matter and come 2014 qiualifiers we will be singing and dancing the same old tunes!
haha thats what happens when u rush to walk before u start to crawl.
everyone thought we would walk easily when we got Independence huh, there u go.
If anyone can tell me of a country that got independence after 1964 that is complaining of not HAVING SPORTING FACILITIES I WILL SHUT UP…!!
Cabbage patch Cabbage patch please come to our rescue
Let Algeria’s every shot miscue
Let the bullets rip them apart
At Konkola we’ ll bury their hearts
Chipolopolo Chipolopolo use this cabbage patch
At Konkola stadium win every match
So Great Kalu can have his dream
And then we ‘ll shut up…
Cabbage patch Cabbage patch please come to our rescue
Let Algeria’s every shot miscue
Let the bullets rip them apart
At Konkola we’ ll bury their hearts
Chipolopolo Chipolopolo use this cabbage patch
At Konkola stadium win every match
So Great Kalu can have his dream
And then we ‘ll shut up Zulu83
This is Disgusting that we can Even Water/ Maintain the Konkola Stadium on a daily basis
just disgusting..i have nothing else to say BUT Disgusting i have played on a High School Pitch here and it
100 times Better than any stadium in Zed
The Stadium the Chinese are apparently Building in Ndola better have an Artificial TURF
because frankly to say as zambian we are LAZY…!!
always waiting for Donor AID
i am not sure why we like to Build Ourselves 1O bedroom houses With 5 cars in the Garage and complain
when FIFA gives us and reminder that we have to water our Soccer Stadium
I AM DISGUSTED…THERE I SAID IT…!!
Ba FAZ poseniko amano.
how can we have a faz president who doesnt stay in zambia….bt busy naming da charges.i rest my case…
Kalu doesnt stay in Zambia?
Suprisingly FIFA are not aware about these conditions Kalu is talking about (BBC radio) . Is he just trying to justify those abnormal prices.
# 13 I disagree with u on artifical sureface.. Strikers celebrating a goal by skidding on the ground and goal keepers will have their skins burnt. Nature grass is much appreciated. The only obstacle is that Zam never pay ground maintainance workers and lack of adquent water supply is the biggest problem. When will indep station open its gates??
# 12 not # 13 plse
What is happening to independence stadium Mwebantu? can somebody shed more light on that.
What is happening to independence stadium Mwebantu?
they ordered a stadium from China and the one there should be replaced soon.Viva Abanda
Don’t insults Kalusha you ungrateful people. He has improved soccer in Zambia you Tonga mwalitupatafye