Sources close to Fashion Sakala claim that Chipolopolo head coach Avram Grant swore to never feature Sakala in the national team as long as he remains in charge of team.
The revelations come on the back of Grant’s unveiling of his provisional 27-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers slated for next month, from which the in-form Saudi-based Sakala is a surprise exclusion.
Grant provided no reasons for omitting the frontman.
Sakala’s exclusion has stirred controversy and speculation as to why a player in such scintillating form has been left out.
Sources now claim that following Zambia’s uninspiring 2023 AFCON performance in Ivory Coast, the Chipolopolo coach had described the former Glasgow Rangers forward as the “worst player he has ever managed”.
“Grant sent him (Fashion Sakala) a message after the AFCON saying that he was sorry for having said he was one of the best players for Zambia when he (Grant) first came because he was in fact the worst player he had ever worked with in his career as a manager,” the source close to Sakala revealed.
“There are screenshots and audios that the player even has in which the coach says he will never call Fashion to the national team for as long as he is the coach of Zambia. It’s so bad because he has never had any misunderstandings with the coach. He is always disciplined and comes to play and gives his best whenever he is called upon.”
The source further revealed that Sakala’s relationship with Grant fell on the rocks after the player turned down a request to be represented by Israeli top agent Nir Karin, who also represents the Chipolopolo gaffer and several other Zambian players.
“Things got bad just after he refused when the coach asked him to sign up with Karin. It is where all this has come from but Fashion respects the coach’s decision. If he does not need him, he will be happy to see Zambia win with the players who will be called upon,” the source added.
Sakala has been in fine form for Al-Fayha in the Saudi Pro League this season, scoring 18 goals and dashing out 6 assists in 30 appearances but has been overlooked for international duty after his relationship with the head coach soured.
Sakala has, however, not featured for the Chipolopolo since January 24, 2024 when he came off the bench in the 70th minute of the Chipolopolo’s final AFCON match against Morocco which ended 1-0 in favour of the North Africans.
Chipolopolo renews its rivalry with the Atlas Lions of Morocco on June 7 in the city of Agadir before hosting Tanzania four days later at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in back-to-back Group E World Cup qualifiers.
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