By MICHAEL MIYOBA
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) says winning is not the only focus for developmental teams such as the Under-17 national team which must be give a more rounded developmental trajectory.
FAZ president Andrew Kamanga said it was unfortunate that the Under-17 were eliminated from the Under-17 AFCON in Algeria.
Kamanga said it was painful for the under-17 lads as they showed some strong mentality to overcome table toppers Morocco.
“Unfortunately, our best chance in qualifying lay in having done better in the first two fixtures,” Kamanga said.
“However, for developmental teams winning is not the only focus as we must give them a more rounded developmental trajectory. There is enough positivity in the team that we can work with going forward. There are a few more international opportunities for junior teams which will be rolled out as the year progresses,” Kamanga said.
Kamanga said FAZ will continue with its tradition of ensuring that the junior teams participate in high level youth tournaments like the Croatia invitational and the Geogia UEFA Youth tournament.
“Part of the progress seen in some of the players in that project are as a result of exposure they got in those youth tournaments at under-15 level,” he said.
Kamanga said FAZ will not relent in upskilling coaches for various national teams.
He said FAZ will take advantage of its Memorandum of Understanding with the Moroccan counterparts and send sending under-17 coach Ian Bakala to Morocco for a CAF A licence course that commences this week.
“Coach Bakala will be on that program with Green Buffaloes trainer Masautso Tembo who is already in that country. This is on top of the other two slots for the CAF Pro License where we will send Wedson Nyirenda and Copper Queens gaffer Bruce Mwape,” Kamanga said.
He said there is no substitute for knowledge in coaching especially with fast changing dynamics propelled by technology.
Kamanga said FAZ remain on course to set up the coaching school through its Memorandum of Understanding with the Croatia Football Federation to widen the beneficiary pool.
