A K100,000 fine and a ban held in reserve: FAZ's disciplinary committee punishes Nkana for the political chants of 10 October but suspends the five-match exile from Kitwe

The warning of 11 October has become a sanction. ZamFoot reported on Saturday 31 October that the Football Association of Zambia's Disciplinary Committee, ruling on Friday 30 October, found Nkana guilty over the conduct of supporters at the MTN Super League match against Makeni All Stars at Nkana Stadium on 10 October, when some fans were reported to have chanted political slogans. The Zambia Premier League lodged the complaint. The club was first asked to show cause why it should not be disciplined, and answered with an expression of regret and a list of measures to prevent a repeat.

The penalty has two parts. Nkana are fined K100,000. They were also ordered to play their next five home matches at a neutral venue at least 300 kilometres from Nkana Stadium, without spectators; the committee then suspended that ban, citing the club's remorse and its proposed corrective measures, so that Nkana can demonstrate improved supporter conduct for the rest of the season. ZamFoot's report does not say what would trigger the ban's activation beyond a further breach, nor how long the suspension runs beyond the season.

What the club said

In a statement signed by its media and communications manager, Mike Mubanga, and issued on Saturday, Nkana said it respected the committee's decision and would comply with its directives while working with the football authorities to prevent a recurrence. It spelled out what the suspended ban would cost if it were ever applied: significant financial, logistical and sporting losses, and a stadium closed to the supporters themselves. It asked fans to show restraint, follow football regulations and avoid chants or behaviour that could bring further sanctions.

Protecting the reputation and future of our beloved club is a collective responsibility.
— Nkana FC statement signed by Mike Mubanga, media and communications manager, on Saturday 31 October, as quoted by ZamFoot

The ruling closes a loop that opened the day after the match. On Sunday 11 October the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, through its permanent secretary Kangwa Chileshe, condemned political activity at sports venues and asked FAZ, the Zambia Premier League and the clubs to act; News Diggers reported on 12 October that the ministry's statement cited both the Nkana match and Zambia's qualifier against Togo in Ndola, where similar chanting had been observed. FAZ at the time cited CAF and FIFA rules on political neutrality in stadiums but named no sanction. The chant in question, as Lusaka Brief reported on 12 October from Lusaka Times, Zambia Monitor and Zambian Eye, was the campaign song of Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu, who remain in custody on treason and terrorism charges with their bail application due back in the High Court on 5 November. The disciplinary ruling, as reported, does not name the song or any individual, and no action against the Togo-match chanting has been reported.

Sources: ZamFoot, “Nkana face five-match home ban after FAZ ruling, but sanction partially suspended” (31 Oct 2026); News Diggers, “Govt directs FAZ, ZPL to take action against political chants at stadia” (12 Oct 2026).