By Kalumiana Kalumiana
Avram Grant says Fashion Sakala is back in the Chipolopolo fold because he has demonstrated an honest gesture of reconciliation after a year and a half exile from Chipolopolo.
Sakala returns to the Chipolopolo fold after a fallout in May 2024 when he made damning allegations against Grant over his selection of players.
The Saudi Arabia-based striker is part of Grant’s provisional 31-member team for the September 8 home date against Morocco in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Grant said at his squad unveiling yesterday at Football House in Lusaka that it was water under the bridge and it was time for football and not personalities to do the talking.
“Fashion did something wrong. He shouldn’t have done it. But he called me a few weeks ago and he apologised. I felt that his apology was honest. He said that he did something that he shouldn’t have done,” Grant said.
“He spoke against people that he didn’t need to speak, including players, etc. I will not tell you what he spoke about, but he called. As I said before, I’m not a guy that has personal issues with anybody.”
Sakala last featured for Chipolopolo in January last year at the 2024 AFCON in Ivory Coast.
“The only issue that I have is the team. He was very honest, so we did the first step. I believe him and I told him that I accept his apology. You see that now he’s in the squad. He’s a young man who made a big mistake. He was out of the squad because of this. He apologised and I accepted it,” Grant said.
Meanwhile, Grant revealed that defenders Stopilla Sunzu and Dominic Chanda will miss the clash against Morocco due to injury.
Chipolopolo will enter camp in Ndola on Monday after players complete their club obligations at their respective clubs.
Team:
Goalkeepers: Toaster Nsabata, Lawrence Mulenga, Charles Kalimba, Mwenya Chibwe
Defenders: Frankie Musonda, Kabaso Chongo, Benedict Chepeshi,Gift Mpande, Dominic Chanda, Obinno Chisala, David Hamansenya, Mathews Banda
Midfielders: Lubambo Musonda, Benson Sakala, Miguel Chaiwa, Joseph Liteta, Kings Kangwa, Abraham Siankombo, Golden Mafwenta, Kelvin Kampamba, Emmanuel Banda, Gift Siame, Saddam Yusuf Phiri, Lameck Banda, Songa Chipyoka
Strikers: Kingstone Mutandwa, Edward Chilufya, Patson Daka, Kennedy Musonda, Fashion Sakala
