President Hichilema Officiates ABSA Cup Final Amid False Booing Claims

President Hakainde Hichilema officiated the 2024 ABSA Cup final between Red Arrows and Kabwe Warriors at Heroes Stadium in Lusaka, Zambia on May 13. The match saw Red Arrows emerge victorious with a thrilling 2-1 win to claim the trophy and the K800,000 prize.

Red Arrows got off to a flying start, with striker Ricky Banda scoring the fastest goal in ABSA Cup final history just 25 seconds into the match, assisted by Malian international Alassane Diarra. Diarra then doubled the lead for the Airmen in the 42nd minute. Kabwe Warriors pulled one back early in the second half through Godfrey Binga, but it proved to be a mere consolation as Red Arrows held on for the win.

Why this matters: The President's presence at the final demonstrates his commitment to supporting the growth and development of sports in Zambia, which can have a positive impact on the country's youth and economy. This event also highlights the importance of fact-checking and combating misinformation in the media, as false claims can have serious consequences for individuals and institutions.

President Hichilema's presence at the final demonstrated his commitment to supporting the growth and development of sports in Zambia. In a post on his Facebook page after the match, the President pledged ongoing government backing for all sports disciplines, stating: "We will continue to support all sports disciplines and encourage corporate partnerships to foster sports growth in the country. Congratulations to the 2024 ABSA Champions, Red Arrows."

Despite the jubilant atmosphere at the stadium, with thousands of enthusiastic fans in attendance, some opposition parties and their surrogates attempted to push a false narrative on social media claiming that President Hichilema was booed by the crowd. The Patriotic Front-aligned Smart Eagles page and the Zambian Post, considered an opposition mouthpiece, were among those perpetuating the claims.

However, the United Party for National Development (UPND) strongly refuted these allegations. UPND National Youth Chairperson Gilbert Liswaniso termed them "a blatant lie" and a desperate attempt by the Patriotic Front to divert attention from their own failures. Liswaniso emphasized that "President Hichilema's call for unity and dialogue at Heroes Stadium was a testament to his commitment to putting Zambia first and working towards a better future for all citizens."

Independent footage and eyewitness accounts from the match confirmed that no such booing occurred, with the crowd cheering both the players and the President. Popular vlogger Simon Mwewa Lane pointed out the ease of creating a false impression, stating: "If you're sitting in a section at Heroes Stadium and you record yourself along with a few of your friends booing, then you post the video on social media, and you add the caption 'HH booed' It's very easy to create a false narrative. But the truth is, HH received a thunderous welcome today!"

Since taking office in August 2021, President Hichilema's administration has made significant strides in various sectors despite inheriting a challenging situation. Key achievements include economic reforms, debt restructuring, promoting investments, implementing social welfare programs, developing infrastructure, enhancing transparency and accountability, making diplomatic gains, launching green initiatives, and improving education and healthcare.

As Zambia moves forward, UPND Youth Chairperson Liswaniso emphasized the need for constructive dialogue and collective efforts to address the challenges ahead, rather than divisive rhetoric and falsehoods. The 2024 ABSA Cup final, with President Hichilema's participation and Red Arrows' thrilling victory, showcased the unifying power of sports and the government's commitment to its development.

Key Takeaways

• President Hichilema attended the 2024 ABSA Cup final between Red Arrows and Kabwe Warriors.
• Red Arrows won the match 2-1, claiming the trophy and K800,000 prize.
• The President's presence demonstrated his commitment to supporting sports growth in Zambia.
• False claims of President Hichilema being booed by the crowd were refuted by UPND and eyewitnesses.
• The event highlighted the importance of fact-checking and combating misinformation in the media.