The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ)’s Electoral Appeals Committee has U-turned on its controversial decision of declaring the Association’s incumbent President Andrew Kamanga as the sole candidate for the March 29 election.

This follows appeals made by four presidential candidates namely, Emmanuel Munaile, Keith Mweemba, Adrian Kashala and Francis Hafwiti.

The decision means that the four candidates are now eligible to contest and challenge Kamanga for the FAZ top job at the elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) slated for Livingstone next month, bringing the total number of candidates to five.

FAZ General Secretary Reuben Kamanga who confirmed the development to ZANIS Sports in a statement said the Electoral Appeals Committee has notified all applicants of the decision.

“The FAZ Electoral Appeals Committee has concluded its sittings and formally notified all applicants of its decisions on the matters presented before it. Naturally, some appeals were successful while others were thrown out,” Kamanga said.

And Kamanga has disclosed that the committee headed by lawyers Mando Mwitumwa, Bridget Banda and Karen Etondo, presided over 72 cases that were filed before them by various candidates.

He said 48 appeals were successful including the Zambian Premier League (ZPL) slot that had previously been without successful nominations.

Kamanga also said the FIFA approved electoral roadmap remains on course with provincial elections set for March 15.

Meanwhile Kamanga has advised candidates whose nominations had fallen through to use peaceful means of seeking recourse as provided for in the FAZ and FIFA statutes.

“The incident this morning (Thursday) where a prospective candidate and football administrator Pivoty Simwanza poured his anger at the FAZ president and secretariat staff is most unfortunate,” he said.