By MICHAEL MIYOBA
FOOTBALL Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Andrew Kamanga has urged the Cosafa bound Zambia National team squads technical bench led by coach Moses Sichone to showcase their technical expertise in the absence of head coach Avram Grant.
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Kamanga said that as the Chipolopolo kick start their title defence at the Cosafa Cup that kicks off tomorrow in Durban there is need for the team not to disappoint as Zambia seeks to defend the regional crown.
“Grant has given the mantle to his assistant Moses Sichone to lead the technical bench at the tournament. This is a huge opportunity for our local personnel to also showcase the technical nous,” Kamanga said.
Kamanga confirmed that coach Grant will take a backseat during the Cosafa but will be available for any technical support.
“Notably, the technical bench has selected a number of promising young talents that may get a run in the chan qualifiers that will be held at the month end,” Kamanga said.
Meanwhile, Kamanga has urged the CAF envoys Power Dynamos and MUZA FC to prepare adequately for the continental games.
“It is our hope that they remember that they are not carrying their club colours with them but the national flag. As we already indicated that should they require some support from our national team bench we will be more than happy to facilitate? This should however be at their instigation as they are at liberty to deploy any methods of preparedness as they deem fit,” Kamanga said.
Kamanga is hopeful that the proposed rehabilitation to Levy Mwanawasa and National Heroes Stadium will be done quickly enough to eliminate the possibility of playing home matches in foreign countries.
“We have made it a matter of priority to engage government on the two stadia they own to ensure that the proposed works commence speedily. We remain hopeful that the nation can still save itself the embarrassment of playing home matches on foreign soil,” Kamanga said.
Meanwhile Kamanga who is in Zurich with Avram Grant to track the progress of the world cup bound Copper Queens said said; “It was heartening to confer with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, his deputy general secretary Mattias Grafstrom and FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsene Wenger. Our national team coach Avram Grant joined us and brought a technical dimension to our FIFA interaction. No doubt these are platforms that you get to knock on certain doors to maximize on opportunities in the global game.”
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