Kickoff (Cape Town)
20 November 2008
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) have written to football's world governing body, Fifa, complaining that Free State Stars refused to release goalkeeper, Kennedy Mweene for last night's friendly against Morocco in Casablanca.
FAZ communications officer, Erick Mwanza said despite sending Mweene an air ticket and confirming his availability for the match, Ea Lla Koto stopped him from travelling on Monday night.
Mwanza said FAZ was not impressed by Stars' action and has since complained to Fifa over the matter.
He said associations were allowed to call players for national duties on Fifa international match days like yesterday, but wondered why Free State Stars refused to release the player.
"As such, we have taken the necessary steps to address the matter through Fifa. We have written to soccer's governing body and we expect appropriate sanctions to be taken against Mweene's team because as associations we are allowed to have our players on Fifa international match days," he added.
The Zambian squad that played Morocco last night had only 16 players following the absence as well of France -based Jacob Mulenga and Tunisia-based Fwayo Tembo.
"Mulenga was given permission to be excused while Tembo had a visa endorsement problem with his passport."
The SuperSport United duo of Noah Chivuta and Davies Nkausu, Collins Mbesuma of Mamelodi Sundowns, Golden Arrows' Joseph Musonda, Clifford Mulenga of Bidvest Wits along with AmaZulu pair Kalililo Kakonje and Chintu Kampamba were all in the line-up when the Chipolopolo Boys were beaten 3-0 in Casablanca.
In a related development, Zambia's fellow 2010 World Cup Group C opponents, Egypts swept aside Benin 5-1 in their home friendly match played on the same night.
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