Fri, 23 Feb 2018 09:01:07 +0000
…as Zesco plans to rehire Chicken George
By VIOLET TEMBO and MUYANI SHINJABALE
ZESCO United Football Club acting head coach, Tenant Chembo, says the executive at the club had not fulfilled its obligation.
Speaking to journalist after his club thrashed Jeshi La Kujega Uchumi (JKU) of Zanzibar 7-0 in the CAF Confederations Cup fixture played at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, Chembo said that news of George Lwandamina’s return as Zesco’s head coach put him under pressure to deliver a positive result.
“One has to be professional but I cannot hide that I was not under pressure. I’am a professional man and abides by my contractual obligations. Big George is a legend in Zambian football history and have worked with him before.
“I still have a running contract to honour. Its football, you know in life there comes a time when one has to make up a decision and be independent. I wish him well when he gets into town .I know he can do a great job,” Chembo said.
Meanwhile, Zesco United general secretary, Richard Mulenga denied allegations suggesting that the Ndola giants were in the process of rehiring Lwandamina.
Mulenga also denied having promised Chembo a contract for winning the 2017 league title.
“Where did you get that impression that he (Tenant) was promised a contract if he won the league? That is a misconception and to set the record straight what I said to Tenant and I think today is a day for celebrating a big historical win rather than denting Tenant’s job.
“Let me set the record straight, what I said to him is that do your job and we may consider who we should appoint permanently but for now let your work speaks for itself.
There was no promise on the table and as I said today is a day that we must talk about the 7-0 victory. He is under consideration,” Mulenga said.
He refused to confirm if Lwandamina was favourite among the coaches that the club was considering engaging for the task.
When pressed by reporters to state the club’s position, Mulenga directed reporters to slant their questions to the victory which the club recorded in qualifying to the next round.
“Lwandamina is contracted to Young Africans and has a contract running.
It would be disrespectful for me to begin to talk about somebody else’s employee,” Mulenga said.
Mulenga said the win against JKU had boosted confidence in the Zesco United camp, adding that it was his hope that the club would build an oriented-result team.
