Wada still Chipolopolo coach, says  FAZ

Tue, 13 Feb 2018 08:28:45 +0000

By MICHAEL MIYOBA

WEDSON Nyirenda is still national team coach and has not been fired as reported by some sections of social media, Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) communications manager Desmond Katongo has said.

On Sunday, there were reports claiming that FAZ was considering terminating Nyirenda’s contract after failing to reach the semifinals of the African Nations Championship CHAN tournament as tasked by the local soccer governing body.

Katongo however denied the allegations noting that FAZ would have announced to the public if there were any changes on the national team technical bench.

In an interview, Katongo said Nyirenda was still the Zambia National Soccer team head coach.

Katongo however disclosed that the association only had a technical meeting with Nyirenda who was asked to present his report concerning the CHAN tournament where Zambia were eliminated at the quarter final stage, following a 1-nil defeat to Sudan.

“Wedson Nyirenda is still the head coach of the Zambia national soccer team. Nothing has changed as reported in some sections of the media.

“Any changes will be communicated to the public but for now, nothing has happened. The association only had a technical meeting where the coach was asked to present his report which is expected after any crucial tournament such as the CHAN tournament. Therefore the rumors circulating on social media are not true. The association will communicate if there will be any changes,” Katongo said.

Nyirenda replaced former national team coach George Lwandamina in August 2016 and guided Zambia to the CHAN quarter hosted by eventual winners Morocco .

He also failed to qualify Zambia for the 2018 Russia world cup after finishing second in the group which had Nigeria, Cameroon and Algeria.

Having started the qualifiers on a poor note, Zambia finished on eight points, five behind group B winners Nigeria.