FAZ president Keith Mweemba has urged the Chipolopolo to give a good account of themselves at the CHAN to unlock sponsorship opportunities for the team.
And Mweemba says the prospect of winning USD $3.5 million should spur the Zambian team to win the CHAN.
Meanwhile defender Benedict Chepeshi thanked the FAZ president for having assured the players of maximum support during the CHAN assignment.
Mweemba, who was flanked by his deputy Mutale Ng’andu said his executive had charted a remuneration package for the players that would increase as the team progressed in the tournament.
He said that although the CHAN was the sole responsibility of FAZ his executive would ensure that the players were remunerated for their sweat at the tournament.
Mweemba said despite the depleted FAZ coffers his executive would dig deep to ensure that the team received their entitlements during the tournament.
“It will be pointless, we have come here, spent money and then we come here as tourists and then go back in the first round,” he said.
“It will be very embarrassing; it will be very difficult to convince well-wishers and government to give us money going forward. We are speaking to a lot of well-wishers and conglomerates so let us make this easy.”
He challenged the players who had already tasted senior team duty to rise to the occasion and win the CHAN.
“Some of you have played professional football already outside Zambia. Some of you here are already part of the senior national team and have played even when the foreign-based players come,” he said.
“Surely, gentlemen with great respect why should we fail to win this tournament with these qualities that we have. Some of you have played outside Zambia before; you have been part of the national team set up.”
Mweemba assured the players that all outstanding arrears for players’ entitlements for previous assignments would be cleared.
The FAZ president disclosed that players would receive their daily allowances starting on Tuesday which would be paid upfront for 15 days as part of motivating the team before their opening match on Thursday.
Assistant coach Moses Sichone said the team would not disappoint the nation during the CHAN assignment.
“Thank you Mr. president, the boys are working hard and the message is very clear, we will not disappoint,” he said.
In giving a vote of thanks, Chepeshi said the ball was now in the players’ court after FAZ laid out its plan for the CHAN.
Earlier Mweemba attended the team training session at Ulinzi Sports Complex alongside his vice.
Zambia opens its CHAN account on Thursday with a Group A tussle against DR Congo at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi.
By FAZ Media
