Swallow your pride - Kalu told

By Hone Liwanga

AS the 2006 World Cup qualifiers storm crucial stage, Zambia national soccer team Technical Director, Kalusha Bwalya has been challenged to swallow his pride and ensure that experienced players are redrafted in the team if Senegal is to fall on September 3.

And Sports Deputy Minister George Chulumanda has urged Kalusha to put national interest first by considering Germany-based duo of Moses Sichone and Andrew Sinkala to strengthen the national team ahead of a do-or-die match against Senegal.

In a random interview recently, scores of soccer fans from across the country have expressed disappointment at Kalusha’s infinite behavior of frustrating players capable of helping the nation qualify to the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals billed for Germany.

Jeff Mukwasa, a staunch Sesheke based soccer fan, charged that unless Sichone, Sinkala, Gift Kampamba are redrafted in the team, Zambia should forget beating wounded 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup quarter finalists (Senegal) at Konkola Stadium.

Mukwasa said Kalusha’s altitude towards overseas based players was inhuman and reminded him that Zambia was able to finish second at the 1994 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia because of foreign based players that blended well with local players.

He said Kalusha’s behavior of running the national soccer team as a personal to holder entity should not be left unchecked, as it will overshadow the nation’s dream of reclaiming Zambia’s lost status of being Africa’s top footballing nation.

“If they say Sichone did something wrong by asking for a training program why didn’t they get back to him rather than reacting from what they read in the press. He came for holiday why can’t they talk to him. I think Kalu is taking it too personal.

“The national team belongs to everyone. Kalusha’s pride will not take our football anywhere.

“ He should let off go his pride for Zambia to go to the 2006 World Cup finals. Without doing that, Zambia will not qualify because of Kalu’s unnecessary vendetta.

He said that Sichone, Sinkala, Kampamba and Laughter Chilembi they are capable of rectifying all our woes in the national team. At the moment the midfield is porous while defence is always at pain.

“What is it which Sinkala and Sichone have done for them to be labeled as enemies of the country? Charles Musonda was given a chance at one stage.

“These might be strong words but they are words to help build the national team rather than creating antagonism which is costing our game.

“If anything, we should be thankful because we almost lost to Malawi in the Cosafa Castle Cup match and also Mali on June 18.

He is called national soccer team Technical Director hasn’t he seen the weakeneses of team? We Sinkala to contain pressure of our opponents. Currently, there is no natural midfielder to distribute balls to striker. Kalusha’s try and error system of running the national team will cost us a game against Senegal and Liberia,” Mukwasa said.

Zambia will on September 2 return to the battlefield to lock horns with Senegal in a crucial World Cup qualifier. Togo lead Group One on 17 points followed by Zambia on 16 while Senegal are placed on third position with 15 points.

Makembo rules out merger

By Hone Liwanga

ZAMBIA Voluntary Soccer Fans Association Chairman Pastor Peter Makembo has ruled out any possibility of merging with the Elijah Chisanga-led Chipolopolo Soccer Fans Association (CSFA).

Reacting to recent calls for unity among soccer fans by CSFA Patron, William Harrington, Makembo said that his association had its own mission which he said was different from that of the latter.

Pastor Makembo of Hillside Ministry, however, pointed out that his heart still bled with anger in the manner he was kicked out of the CSFA shortly after being co-opted into the executive.

“It is not possible to merge with CSFA because of the manner I was kicked out of their executive. I was called all sorts of names by the so called owners of the executive. They said I was a swindler. So how can I work with such people?

“Our association has built a very strong foundation and we are confident that our main objective of mobilizing resources to help the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) in looking into the needs of the national soccer team players is realized,” Pastor Makembo said.

He added that his association would always support the national soccer team in victory and defeat as demonstrated in the thunderous support they accorded Kalusha Bwalya tutored lads when they were walloped 4-1 by Togo in a 2006 Cup qualifier.

Addressing a sizeable crowd that gathered to pay last respect to the late outspoken General Secretary, Willie Malasha at Lusaka’s Old Leopards Hill Cemetery on June 24, Harrington implored soccer fans to unity in providing checks and balances to FAZ.

Mokola makes come back

By Hone Liwanga

ZAMBIA’S veteran 100 metre runner, Carol Mokola has bounced back on the running track after being out of the scene since the 2004 Athens Olympic Games where she exhibited shoddy performance.

Zambia Amateur Athletics Association (ZAAA) Selection Chairman, Cassius Nyendwa confirmed Mokola’s come back in an interview with the National Mirror in Lusaka recently.

Nyendwa said Carol has recovered from the injury she picked in Congo prior to the Olympics saying she was now fit to help Zambia reap medals at the Southern Region Senior Track and Field Championship (SRSTFC) slated for July 2-3 in Zimbabwe.

“We believe that Carol has the experience to help us in the event that is why we have decided to give her another chance.

“Her coming back will also be an inspiration to upcoming athletes,” Nyendwa said.

Nyendwa, who is also Zambia Police athletics team Coach was confident that the Zambian team under the tutelage of Felix Mbuye would return home with medals as both women and men’s athletes were selected on merit.

He named Dona Muwowo, Rachael Nachula, Peddy Mumba, Alexina Hantebe, Hilda Sinkala, Elizet Banda and Rabecca Nachula, Ruth Mwenya, Harriet Mumba, Auditor Kandela, Martha Lungu, Mirriam Mukulama and Njiji Chela as other players in the women’s team.

“According to Nyendwa, the team comprising men and women will return home on July 5.

YESS women soccer team picked for Gothia tourney

By Hone Liwanga

YOUTH Empowerment through Sports Skills (YESS) women football team has been picked to represent Zambia at the annual Gothia Cup Championship billed for July 15 in Sweden.

Speaking in an interview in Lusaka recently, Lusaka Province Women Football Association (LPWFA) General Secretary Highness Saili said that YESS, formerly Lass Connect women team was ready for the battle.

Saili said that her association was confident that the Zambian team which has been preparing hard for the tournament would put up a splendid performance in Sweden. “I am proud with the progress the team has made since the time they started preparing for the Gothia Cup Championship. On behalf of the association, I am asking the wellwishers to help the team in any way possible before they leave for Sweden.

In 2004, Lass Connect (Barclays) as YESS was formerly called, minted a silver medal after finishing second. And LPWFA General Secretary has said that the girls were in high spirit to win this year’s championship. “Having finished second last year, we are hoping to see the girls win a gold medal this year,” Saili said.

Meanwhile, the future of women football looks promising following the keen interest Athlete in Action (AIA), Canada has developed in creating a strong partnership with the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) in initiating pro women soccer programmes.

AIA Regional Director-Southern Alberta, Harold Cooper told the National Mirror in an interview in Lusaka recently that AIA, a brain child of a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ, Canada would provide necessary resources for women soccer revival. “We want to provide resources and training for women football administrators because women status needs to be enhanced as they shape the mind of men in the nation. When a woman is involved in sport, she performs well even academically,” Cooper said.

He urged FAZ to prioritise women football in their programmes by equipping coaches with necessary professional skills, which they could in turn instil in their players. “Women football around the world has been very slow but this time around, it has started doing fine. We don’t want Zambia to be left behind, that is why we have come in to help develop it. Zambians should have women heading leadership positions at the Ministry of Sport and other fields. That can only be done if women are involved in sport,” he said. Cooper was invited to come and conduct coaching courses for sports administrators by the Director of Campus Crusade for Christ in Zambia. AIA is a Christian sports Non-Governmental Organisation that began in 1974. Its mission statement is; through spiritual multiplication glory God by developing a movement of athletes, coaches and their spouses.