By MICHAEL MIYOBA
A ZAMBIAN must be appointed as coach for the Chipolopolo following the resignation of Croatian Aljosa Asanovic, says Peter Makembo, patron of the Zambia Sports Fans Association (ZASPOFA).
Asanovic terminated his contract as coach of the Zambia national team due to the alleged violation of contractual obligations by the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ).
According to his legal representative Davor Radic, FAZ violated its contractual obligations by failing to fulfil financial obligations towards Asanovic.
It is alleged that the association owes the Croatian US$41, 000 in salary arrears accrued between May, June and July 2022, an allegation FAZ president Andrew Kamanga denied.
With the Chipolopolo scheduled to engage in Africa Cup qualifiers next March, Makembo believes five months will not be enough for another foreign coach to know and understand the players for Zambia to qualify for the next AFCON.
Makembo said it is unfortunate that the team has gone back to a situation where i is without a coach at a crucial time when the country is supposed to intensify preparations for the next round of AFCON qualifiers that are fast approaching.
He however noted that Zambia has a lot of qualified coaches who already know and understand the local and foreign-based players and can deliver if they are supported like foreign coaches.
“Right now we don’t need a foreign coach to help with the situation we are in. Let us look at our own who are capable of doing well provided they are given the support given to foreign coaches when they are engaged,” Makembo said.
He hailed FAZ for ensuring that the Chipolopolo was kept busy during the FIFA international break with friendly games against Mali which were overseen by assistant coach Moses Sichone.
Makembo however said there is need for Zambia to learn from countries such as Senegal Ghana, Tunisia, Morocco and Cameroon which qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with local coaches.
Meanwhile, Makembo has hailed FAZ for organising a high profile friendly game for the Copper Queens who will play Netherlands on October 6th in Breda.
He said friendlies with high profile team are crucial as they will ensure that the Copper Queens prepare adequately for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
