MMA Zambia announced a disheartening setback in their plans to participate in the Africa Championships held in Angola. Their intended team had been unable to make the journey due to a shortage of funds at the Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Arts, which had earlier promised support. Originally, the team had received assurances of financial assistance for both flights and accommodations. However, just three working days before their scheduled departure on the 12th, they were informed that the promised accommodations would not be provided. In light of this situation, MMA Zambia decided to accept support solely for flights, resulting in a downsizing of their team from 20 to 14 members. To bridge the last-minute £5,000 shortfall required for accommodating the athletes during the competition, MMA Zambia benefited from their strong relationship with the Angolan Federation. As deadlines came and went, the promise of flights persisted, with the event organizers doing their utmost to accommodate the team's ongoing uncertainty. Nevertheless, the organizers' flexibility had its limits. According to MMA, the athletes themselves were fully prepared and eager to compete for gold, having devoted everything to their training camp. Despite MMA Zambia's extensive efforts, including the submission of budgets and multiple meetings over several months, the team found themselves in a frustrating bureaucratic loop. Ultimately, they were left waiting at East Park on September 14th, with an arrival date of the 15th, the very day of the competition, instead of the initially requested arrival on the 12th. MMA also thanked Coaches Ken Sekeletu Nyaondo, Humphrey Mulenga, Benjamin Bush, and athletes Jai Chilufya, Michael Deon Zulu, Michael Goma, Abraham Banda, and Batista Mwende for their dedication and effort.