Veteran sports administrator Machacha Shepande has officially entered the race for the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) presidency. The former FAZ General Secretary and National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) General Secretary aims to succeed Andrew Kamanga, who has led the association for the past nine years.
Speaking after filing his nomination, Shepande declared, “It went on well. We filed in successfully. Now, it’s all systems go.” He emphasized that he is ready to hit the ground running as he seeks to connect with councilors and strengthen his campaign.
With a wealth of experience spanning several decades, Shepande boasts an impressive résumé in sports administration. He served as NSCZ General Secretary for two years, FAZ General Secretary for two years, and Deputy Director of Sports for a year. Additionally, he was Director of the All Africa Games at the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa from 2007 to 2010.
Shepande also held the esteemed position of Head of Sport at the African Union (AU) Commission in Addis Ababa from 2010 to 2021, where he oversaw 55 sports ministries across the continent. During his tenure, he represented the AU at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA.
Among his notable achievements, Shepande was involved in FIFA’s Football for Schools (F4S) program, which aims to integrate football into educational systems globally. The initiative has distributed over 1 million footballs annually across Africa while providing grants and training to incorporate football coaching into school curriculums.
“You cannot just send footballs without building capacity,” Shepande noted, highlighting his focus on sustainable sports development.
Shepande is not the only contender for the FAZ presidency. Former FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala has also submitted his nomination, promising to unite the football fraternity and prioritize development over individual interests. Kashala emphasized that he would promote inclusivity and run football with a collaborative approach.
Additionally, former sports journalist Alex Njobvu has joined the race, adding to the list of candidates seeking to lead Zambian football into a new era.
The FAZ presidential elections are scheduled for March 29, 2025, in Livingstone. As the race heats up, all eyes will be on the candidates to outline their vision for the future of Zambian football.