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Zambia’s home-based team received between US$ 10 and US$20 each for beating Zimbabwe 2-0 in a friendly in Lusaka on April 28.
The players said on condition of anonymity that it was disheartening to be paid the equivalent of a long-distance bus fare to play for their country.
“Yes, we were given Kwacha 120 (US$20),” one player said.
“Can you imagine getting KR 120 just to play for you national team?
“I mean if that’s the case, I would rather stay at my club. They pay better. It is very sad.”
According to the players, those based in Lusaka were given US$10 while those from outside town received US$20.
“We were told that it was our transport money and nothing else was said,” another player said.
The players spent a grueling six days camped in Lusaka and were also part of the nationwide trials during that same period.
That win over Zimbabwe at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka was Zambia’s first victory in nine matches since beating Bafana-Bafana 1-0 in the Nelson Mandela Challenge on November 14 at Soccer City.
