Retired referee Evans Malata has called for increased investment in referees training to help Zambia produce more officials for major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations.
Malata, the FAZ Copperbelt Referees Manager, said Zambian football had not invested enough in equipping referees.
He noted it was disappointing that no Zambian referee was selected for the ongoing FIFA World Cup.
“It is not good that we don’t have a Zambian referee at the World Cup. We also want to see our own referees at major tournaments like the World Cup or Africa Cup,” Malata said.
Janny Sikazwe was the first Zambian to officiate at the FIFA World Cup in 2018.
“I think as a country we have not invested much in the training of referees. It is the responsibility of all football stakeholders to ensure we equip referees and produce more international officials,” Malata said.
He said Diana Chikotesha and Hilary Hambaba were currently doing well on the international front.
Malata, who has transitioned into a match commissioner after retiring from active officiating, said efforts were underway on the Copperbelt to raise refereeing standards.
“We are doing a lot to raise standards on the Copperbelt. At the start of the 2026/2027 season, I will organize and sponsor training for referees to prepare them for a good season,” he said.
