Zambia Might Not Show Up for Cameroon Game

January 26th, 2008 | by: Daryl | Comments(3)

More worrying news from the Africa Cup of Nations as the Zambian team are threatening not to show for the game against Cameroon today. Not because they’re scared of an Samuel Eto’o and co. as the Indomitable Lions try and bounce back from defeat to Egypt, but in response to a row over bonuses. Zambian newspaper The Post is reporting that the Zambian players were promised $2,500 each as a win bonus, pre-agreed before the tournament – but the tightfisted FA offered just $2,000 each after the 3-0 win over Sudan. And so the players refused the bonus and refused to train on Thursday, and may not show for today’s game.

Light bonus packet or not, let’s hope the players decide to show. I can understand their outrage at being shortchanged, but the Zambian players have a very real chance of qualifying from Group C after beginning the Africa Cup of Nations with a big win. If they could get something out of today’s game with Cameroon then Zambia would be halfway to the quarter-finals. But if they fail to show then Zambia are more or less finished.

Fingers crossed that it all gets resolved, and be sure to join us for what could be a very strange LiveBlog of Cameroon vs Zambia.