Nkana ordered to pay more than K400,000 to Mangani Banda and Shadreck Musonda

The Footballers and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (FAWUZ) has applauded seven Player Status Committee judgments that ruled in favour of six players and a coach in disputes with former clubs over unfair dismissals and unpaid dues.

The decisions, released this week, order Nkana FC to pay more than K400,000 to former players Mangani Banda and Shadreck Musonda within 30 days for breaches of contractual terms, including failure to pay gratuities. Nkana is also repaying K155,000 owed to ex-player Gift Zulu for delayed bonuses.

Other rulings compel Chambishi FC to pay Harrison Kaonga K96,692.31 and former coach Ngosa Ernest Mwelwa K73,230.77. Kitwe United must settle K127,000 for Haveston Ching’ambu and K98,000 for Oswald Simpamba, while Indeni FC owes Isah Kazembe K66,839.37.

FAWUZ General Secretary Joe Kasapo Kaunda said the union had no choice but to act.

“While FAWUZ does not take pleasure in penalising clubs, the wilful and deliberate failure to pay players and unwarranted breaches of contractual obligations makes it inevitable for us as a players’ union to seek justice,” Kaunda said.

He praised the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) for speeding up hearings.

“FAZ has clearly improved the frequency of sittings by judicial bodies, which in the past denied justice due to delays,” Kaunda noted. “Although we still have a number of cases pending, we are certainly seeing commitment towards hearing and resolving them—this is indeed commendable.”

Kaunda added that the rulings send a message to clubs: “These judgments remind clubs that labour law does apply to their employment relationships with players and coaches. Respecting contracts is not optional—it’s a fundamental part of professional football.”