The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has described 2024 as a successful year for the sport.

FAZ General Secretary, Reuben Kamanga has cited the return of the senior men’s national team to the Ivory Coast hosted Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in January after missing out on three previous editions.

In an interview with ZANIS, Kamanga also said the qualification to next year’s AFCON slated for Morocco in December was also a fulfilling achievement.

Kamanga paid tribute to the national team for qualifying to the African showpiece without some of its big names such as forward Patson Daka who was sidelined due to injury.

He also stated that the performance of the Copper Queens which saw the senior women’s national team qualify for the Paris Olympics and subsequently participate in the competition in June is yet another feat achieved.

Kamanga added that the American based duo of Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji becoming the world’s two most expensive players was yet another moment to be proud of.

He added that Banda scooping the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Women’s footballer of the year award and the BBC African Footballer of the Year Awards in addition to being nominated for a Ballon D’or were moments that cemented the local women’s game place onto the global stage.

Kamanga attributed the improvement in women’s football to a 10 year strategic plan embarked on by the current FAZ administration which is starting to bear fruit.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts Permanent Secretary Kangwa Chileshe said the Government is proud of achievement recorded in football this year.

Chileshe said the Government has sponsored the sport to unprecedented extents in comparison with other eras.

He pledged the Government’s continued support in addition to supporting other sporting disciplines.

And the Permanent Secretary disclosed that the Government has settled all footballing debt dating back to the MMD and PF regimes.