Mweemba Hails Kanouté’s Contribution to Zambian Football and Youth Development

23.01.2026 | Football DNA

Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Keith Mweemba has praised former Mali international and Sevilla legend Frédéric Kanouté for his growing influence in Zambian football, particularly in youth development, describing his contribution as rare and invaluable.

Mweemba made the remarks when Kanouté paid a courtesy call on him at Football House, accompanied by Kafue Celtic proprietor Lee Kawanu.

Welcoming the former UEFA Cup winner, Mweemba said FAZ deeply appreciates Kanouté’s decision to invest his time, expertise, and resources in Zambia, noting that the African football icon could easily have focused his efforts elsewhere.

“We are glad to have you at Football House. We see what you are doing for Kafue Celtic and Zambian football as a whole, and we will never take it for granted. You could have focused only on Mali, but your contribution to Africa and especially Zambia is outstanding,” said Mweemba.

Who Is Frédéric Kanouté?

Frédéric Kanouté is a former Mali international striker, best remembered for his legendary spell at Sevilla FC, where he won multiple UEFA Europa League titles and Copa del Rey trophies, cementing his status as one of Africa’s most respected football figures both on and off the pitch.

Since retiring, Kanouté has remained committed to football development and player welfare through his firms 12 Management and Nofama Consultancy, with a strong focus on structured youth development, professionalism, and clear pathways to elite football.

Kanouté’s Role in Zambian Youth Development

In Zambia, Kanouté has been working closely with Kafue Celtic, where he has helped introduce:

Modern youth development structures

Professional training standards

Player mentorship and career guidance

Exposure pathways for young Zambian talents

Through this framework, several young players have benefited from improved development systems, with some earning junior national team call-ups and others attracting interest beyond Zambia’s borders.

Kanouté has also been involved in scouting and identifying young Zambian talent, helping refine raw potential into disciplined professionals capable of competing at higher levels. His influence has strengthened the bridge between grassroots football and elite performance environments.

FAZ Open to Partnership

Mweemba reaffirmed FAZ’s willingness to collaborate with Kanouté’s initiatives, stating that the association is eager to partner in accelerating football development in the country.

“We want to work with you and partner with your initiatives so that Zambia can compete successfully at the highest level,” he added.

FAZ General Secretary Machacha Shepande also highlighted ongoing efforts to establish a clear football development pathway, admitting that the lack of structured progression from grassroots football to high-performance centres has been a longstanding challenge.

Kanouté: “Zambia Is My Second Home”

In response, Kanouté expressed gratitude for the warm reception, describing Zambia as his second home.

“I have worked with Lee for over ten years, and I am encouraged by how open Zambians are to learning new ideas. This motivates me to extend my initiatives beyond Kafue Celtic,” said Kanouté.

Meanwhile, Kawanu emphasized that Kanouté’s expertise should not be limited to one club, expressing hope that more Zambian teams can benefit from his presence.

“We need more teams operating at the highest standards so that competition improves,” Kawanu said.

During the visit, Kanouté was presented with a Kopa jersey bearing his name and iconic number 12, before later interacting with FAZ executive committee members during a tea break.