The National League Playoffs have taken a dramatic turn as Roan United FC finds itself at the center of a player identity scandal, following a disciplinary ruling by the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ).
In a statement released late Wednesday evening, the FAZ Disciplinary Committee confirmed that Roan United FC has been found guilty of fielding an ineligible player in their recent Group B clash against Nangweshi Pirates FC — a match that has now been forfeited and awarded as a 3-0 victory to Nangweshi.
The decision stems from a formal protest lodged by Nangweshi Pirates, who questioned the eligibility of a player listed as “Musamvu James” on Roan United’s match return form. FAZ’s investigation revealed serious discrepancies: the player in question was not registered with Roan United for the 2024/25 season, and the FAZ ID used corresponded to a completely different registered player, creating what the committee described as “a clear case of misrepresentation.”
Further checks traced the name “Musamvu James” to Airport Warriors FC, exposing what appears to be a deliberate attempt to manipulate identity records — a violation of Rule 3.1 and Rule 6.1 of the 2025 FAZ National Division One Playoffs regulations.
As a consequence, Roan United has not only forfeited the match but now faces heightened scrutiny, with sources indicating that further disciplinary measures could be considered if additional breaches are uncovered.
Meanwhile, Nangweshi Pirates FC did not escape unscathed. Despite winning their protest, the club has been fined K3,000 and reprimanded for unsporting conduct. According to the committee, members of the Pirates’ technical bench were involved in inappropriate utterances and attempts to influence the disciplinary process, acts that FAZ classified as violations under Article 14 of the Disciplinary Code.
The Pirates have until 19 June 2025 to settle the fine and must submit a formal retraction and apology signed by club official Likando Mubyana. FAZ has warned that any recurrence of such behavior may lead to stiffer penalties, including potential disqualification from the tournament.
This double-edged ruling sends a strong message ahead of the tournament’s decisive fixtures — with FAZ making it clear that both player eligibility and professional conduct are non-negotiable in maintaining the integrity of Zambian football.