FAZ promises measures to bring glory to Chipolopolo
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Andrew Kamanga says his association will take measures to bring back glory to the former African Champions.
“FAZ expects measures to restore the integrity of the team as you know it is very painful to fail to qualify to the Africa Cup,” Kamanga said on arrival from Mozambique yesterday.
He said FAZ did everything possible to motivate the team to get the desired result. Kamanga said both the technical bench and players should take responsibility for their poor performance despite being given incentives. And Chipolopolo second choice goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata said that it was sad to miss the continental marathon.
“It is sad that we missed this opportunity but the team is going to come out stronger and better to ensure that we are a force to reckon with,” he said.
Meanwhile, fans have reacted angrily to Chipolopolo’s failure to qualify to Africa Cup of Nations for the second edition in a row. A 1-nil defeat at the hands of Mozambique in Maputo on Sunday effectively ended Zambia’s campaign to be among finalists in the 2019 tournament to be hosted by Cameroon. Disappointed fans have taken to social media to vent their frustrations, blasting the Football Association of Zambia and calling for the dismissal of coach Sven Vandenbroeck.
Here is a snapshot of some of the comments posted on the FAZ Facebook page:
“Andrew Kamanga as FAZ president has broken a record of becoming the first FAZ President to have failed to qualify Zambia for AFCON consecutively,” Puccino Rbqt El Patron wrote. Kabaso Littlewood Chilombo wrote: “For how long have we been told that prevention is better than cure? Making changes after it’s too late. Sven should remain in Mozambique.”
Anthony Mando wrote: “It’s a shame to Zambian football, losing home and away to Mozambique, there’s something wrong somewhere. Wasting taxpayers’ money on an expatriate coach who can’t even perform better than our own coaches.”
“Change is needed at Football house and the technical bench,” wrote Lackson Mwanza.
Mwila Jere commented, “It’s really painful where as a nation we are subjected to watching our team nama panado pa side. Honestly [Rainford] Kalaba should have started than being a super sub…Ine chanibaba Zambia kusila so…even the choice of coaches we hire leaves much to be desired.”
“For 2 consecutive times our National team has failed to qualify for the Africa Cup! Even teams like Namibia, Mozambique and the like have become a force to reckon with…Can you tell me who should take responsibility for the dwindling performance of our National Team? Let Kamanga and the entire FAZ resign for failing us and for wasting taxpayers’ money. Our Chipolopolo is our pride and now it has become a laughing stock. This is unacceptable!” posted Mwansa Mwila Sosthenes.
Some comments encouraged to the Chipolopolo and called for hard work.
Source: The Mast