Sports News

Wed, 29 Mar 2017 12:15:26 +0000

Councillors demand loyalty

By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA

THE next Football Association of Zambia vice-president must be one that will be loyal, respects the constitution and councillors to avoid the situation of expelling executive members due to gross misconduct, says former FAZ executive member Keagan Chipango.

Chipango said it was unfortunate that in one year since the Kamanga administration assumed office, councillors had to expel vice-president Richard Kazala and executive member Blackwell Siwale for gross misconduct.

He was however happy that the councillors exhibited high levels of maturity in handling the items on the agenda.

“I commend my fellow councillors for showing maturity in handling the pertinent issues brought before them. They made rational and wise decisions which include the passing of the draft constitution in the best interest of Zambia.

“The councillors have spoken and definitely expect a mature vice-president who is loyal and respects both the officials and constitution. From my discussions with a number of councillors, most of them want a person with a legal mind,” he said.

Chipango advised Kamanga to use the amended constitution to bring sanity to the way football was run in the country.

He said councillors were now waiting to see FAZ implement the pronouncements made during the AGM.

“The K5,000 grant to Division two and three teams elated the councillors and now we are just waiting for Kamanga to deliver. With the amended constitution, we hope to see the running of the game decentralised at administrative level,” he said.

He called on the officials to support the executive committee in order to achieve the set goals.

Soccer fans association patron Peter Makembo said FAZ should shift attention to prepare the Under-20 and senior teams for the tasks ahead.

Makembo said he was hopeful that the in-house wrangles that have engulfed football administration were over following the annual general meeting.

“It is time that things got back to normal at Football House. I praise the councillors for adopting the constitution which saw Zambia avoid a FIFA suspension. We have a number of international engagements and FAZ need to worker harder to make sure Zambia performs well,” he said.

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I won’t surrender my title, vows Cathy

By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA

CATHERINE Phiri is upbeat  about her impending fight and says she will successfully defend her World Boxing Council (WBC) bantamweight gold title against Mariana Juarez on April 1 in Mexico.

The Zambian boxer, who is in Mexico, said she was focused on defending the title.

“I am back in Mexico where I dethroned Yazmin Rivas to become champion. And now everyone wants to get this title, so I know what’s at stake. I am focused and ready for the fight,” she said.

Catherine said she will do more talking in the ring and was expecting a tough challenge.

“I will not underrate my opponent. For her to challenge, means she is a good boxer,” he said.

And trainer Mike Zulu said the boxer was doing well and just working on a few technicalities.

“She is focused and disciplined. Mexicans are good boxers so we are working on her mental preparedness,” he said.

Juarez, 37, has a record of 44 wins of which 17 are technical knockouts, nine losses and four draws.

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U-20 urged to be focused after defeat

By Michael Miyoba

THE Zambia Football Fans Association (ZAFA) has urged the Under-20 national soccer team to remain focused after the Beston Chambeshi-tutored junior Chipolopolo were humbled 4-1 by 2017 FIFA Under-20 World Cup hosts South Korea in the second game of the on-going four-nation South Korea invitational tournament.

In an interview with the Daily Nation Sports in Lusaka, ZAFA secretary general Chawezi Katwizi said the loss to South Korea should act as an eye-opener as it exposed Zambia’s weaknesses.

Katwizi noted that there was need to enhance the junior Chipolopolo’s defence which has been shaky since the AfCON tournament recently hosted in Zambia.

“The 4-1 loss to South Korea should act as an eye-opener. We need to improve as a team especially defensively.  Our defence was exposed in that game. The goal keeper did not coordinate very well with the defenders,” Katwizi said.

Katwizi said that there was still time for the technical bench to put everything in order before the Under-20 World Cup to be hosted in South Korea.

And Katwizi commended the junior Chipolopolo for their “great” performance against Ecuador in their first game at the invitational tournament which Zambia won 2-nil.

He noted that the team coordinated very well despite having missed the services of Zanaco midfielder Boyd Siame who had remained in Zambia due to a family bereavement as well as the three foreign-based players –  Patson Daka of F.C Liefering, Mumba Mwape of Getafe and Fashion Sakala of Spartak Moscow  who have returned to their respective clubs.

Meanwhile, the Zambia Under-20 national team has shifted base to Jeju, the venue for their final match against Honduras at the four-nation tournament.

Honduras is winless in the tournament having lost 3-2 to South Korea on match day one before losing 2-1 to fellow South Americans Ecuador.

Jeju City will also host group C games during the junior FIFA World Cup in May with Zambia having the advantage of having a feel of the venue.

Zambia and Honduras will play their final match at the 29,000 capacity Jeju World Cup Stadium with the match kicking off at 16.00 hrs Korean time.

The four teams are preparing for the South Korea World Cup as they have all qualified for the prestigious tournament which will run from May 20 to June 11.