President Hakainde Hichilema has expressed solidarity with the Chipolopolo Zambia Men’s National Football Team following their exit from the AFCON tournament in Morocco, urging the nation to view the setback as a turning point for rebuilding Zambian football from the grassroots.
In a statement issued by State House, President Hichilema acknowledged that defeat is never easy, noting that loss should not attract condemnation but instead serve as an opportunity for reflection, reassessment, and strategic renewal.
“While defeat is never easy, President Hakainde Hichilema understands, both personally and as a competitor, what loss feels like and how it must not warrant condemnation,” the statement read.
The Head of State emphasized that Zambia’s AFCON exit should mark the beginning of a new national sporting journey, rooted in introspection, rediscovery, and the deliberate reclaiming of the country’s proud football legacy.
President Hichilema reminded the nation that Zambia was once a regional and continental sporting powerhouse, driven by a strong grassroots sports culture. He highlighted the critical role once played by schools and local authority community facilities, which produced talented footballers through structured and competitive inter-provincial tournaments.
However, he noted with concern that much of this grassroots infrastructure has been lost in recent years due to unregulated and, in some cases, corrupt land acquisitions, weakening the foundation upon which sporting excellence was built.
In response, President Hichilema has called for a sports revolution beginning in 2026, anchored in rebuilding infrastructure and strengthening school and community grassroots sports facilities nationwide. These centres, he said, must once again become hubs for talent identification and development.
He further called for sustained dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders, including Government, sports institutions, and the private sector, to create a clear and unified roadmap for the future of Zambian sports.
As part of immediate policy direction, the President has instructed the Ministries of Lands, Youth, Sport and Arts, Local Government, and other relevant institutions to ensure that all new housing and corporate developments include properly planned sports and recreational facilities for young people and surrounding communities.
“This is not an end, but a reset, and an opportunity to rebuild Zambian sports deliberately, inclusively, and for lasting success,” the statement concluded.
