The Football Association of Zambia has made a bold move by launching an in-house kit that will be worn by Zambia at the 2018CHAN finals that kick off on January 12 in Morocco.
Zambia has struggled to secure a long-term major kit deal after parting ways with Nike over two years ago.
“Following the Executive Committee meeting of October 2017, the decision to create an independent sports brand, wholly owned by FAZ, was made in line with the objective of increased revenue generation and full control of the value chain,” FAZ spokesperson Desmond Katongo said.
“This is the first step by the Association to grow its commercial arm and to create additional, profitable revenue streams.
“The brand, named KoPa, represents the best of Zambian football and the new Zambia kit is a true reflection of all the positive attributes in the Zambian game.
“The new kit will be unveiled at the CHAN tournament in Morocco and the distribution of replica jerseys will begin shortly after.
“The KoPa brand will be manufactured to international standard, will be available to FAZ members, other sporting associations and institutions and the general public, at affordable prices to meet the needs of the market.
“The growth opportunities for the brand stretch beyond Zambia’s borders and an international variant of the brand will be available to clients in overseas markets.”
Zambia had until December 31 worn Mafro but that long-term deal was terminated after the Asian sports kit maker failed to meet its contractual obligations.
This is great news. I hope they are really international standard as indicated. We are waiting to see them.
This is we need to hear. Even Kalusha will support this brand. But KoPa, maybe ok.
Material need better than Chitenge.
Its not great news. FAZ is losing out on sponsorship at a time when they are desperately in need of funds.
Foolizh move by greedy kamanga. Kit suppliers pay huge monies to dress national teams and we are missing on this. Can replica jerseys even sell a thousand dollars before Chinese come in with their fake kopas
Unwise move by greedy kamanga. Kit suppliers pay huge monies to dress national teams and we are missing on this. Can replica jerseys even sell a thousand dollars before Chinese come in with their fake kopas?
THIS IS GREAT NEWS. MAYBE THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF PROMOTING OUR OWN. IT ISN’T EVEN LIKE NIKE GARMENTS ARE MADE IN THE USA- THEY ARE MADE IN INDIA, SRILANKA, INDONESIA, ETC. AFRICA MUST PROMOTE ITSELF AND DO BUSINESS WITH ITSELF FOR AFRICA TO BE RESPECTED. “UBU FUMU BUCINDIKA BANE”. NO ONE IS GOING TO RESPECT AFRICA BUT OURSELVES. PLEASE, PROMOTE LOCAL DESIGNER. AND YOU LOCAL DESIGNER UP YOUR DESIGNING GAMES. MWILACITA DESIGN NO KUBILA KWATI MULECITILA DESIGN NO KUBILILE NKUMBA.
It’s a good idea, we hope the quality will be up to par with other teams. A bad kit worn can kill the teams spirit.
OK, you mean a kit sewn by a tailor from City market? I hope we are not compromising on standards.
Sometimes try to use your brain. Not much of an effort.
@economist, it appears you are the one not using your brain because you preventing divergent views from the other blogger. Narrow mindedness and intolerance of alternative thinking is what has made us forever poor
To be made in China, but quality yena Kaya. Looks like those light replica jerseys. I saw a sample on Facebook.
Aweee…faz has failed to secure a deal. This KoPa thing is fraudelent. When did they ever indicate th desire to manufucture on kit? Who is th contractor? Hw was he chosen to manufucture th kit, when did thy advertise and who is the designer of th kit n when was he picked and how. AK u toked abt transparency, is there anything transparent in this all thing?
I hope they will be sewn in Zambia and not “you know where”
Bold and brilliant move. I will support the new Jersey though l feel, they should have identified a local sports attire supplier to supply and market it on behalf of FAZ. Good luck!
local supplier! really? before they even wear the local kit, i have an idea how the quality will be”inta nashiono”
I see a shortage of the jerseys so when the player is substituted, he will run out to the sidelines and take off his Jersey and boots for the player coming in.
Comment:see like liverpool..standard charted bank gives the club thousands of pounds just fo them to make jesseys. FAZ could hav jst used kapa or any other company to mak jeseys fo the nation so as to b funded .
this is some great news.. Zambian firms and companies should begin to do things for themselves than always buy outside when we can do them hear… even boots should be bought within. we don’t need to take our money outside for something that we can do localy
OK I think brand for jeseys does not matter but what matters is for the team to win Chan. If it is allowed to play without tops leaving the chest bare and we win Chan to me its fine. Agony is going with a good quality jersey and u come out with 1 point from a tournament.
Long walk to freedom! At last this is the best news ever from FAZ! Kopa will be great its our own and will critize if need be just for improvement sake! I salute FAZ! Well Done!!!! So proud of these guys now!!!
Its not easy to start a sporting kit brand. Faz is broke, how much is there initial capital for this venture ? Faz can not manage this venture, its not just a jeyz that is needed, orther things like soccer boots, slipers, bags, balls,training equipment. Zambia again will become the most poorely dressed team in Africa.