. Nyirenda

By SANDRA MWILA –
WHILE uncertainty continues to hinge over his future as Zambia coach, Wedson Nyirenda yesterday spelt out his vision of moulding four national teams that should be able to compete favourably at various competitions.
Nyirenda, seemingly energised after the meeting he had with Sports Minister Moses Mawere and Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) on Monday, said he was working at having four different teams that should be able to compete at any given time.
“We don’t want a situation where we are calling the same players for camp. People will start saying Wedson is calling his relatives,” Nyirenda said.
Nyirenda said building a team takes time and that after winning the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, the performance of the Chipolopolo had dwindled.
He expressed confidence that the new call ups into the Chipolopolo team preparing for the COSAFA Senior Challenge Cup would give those left out the zeal to work hard to earn a recall back into the team.
Nyirenda said in an interview after morning training session at Edwin Imboela Stadium that he wants to reach a level where he can easily have a team to compete be it at local, regional or international level.
“We want to reach a stage where we have four national teams. These will be local, regional, international and main national teams to compete at various stages. The vision is to see a situation where FAZ organises a friendly between two national teams,” Nyirenda said.
Meanwhile, Nyirenda, without giving much detail, described the meeting with Mawere as fruitful.
“The meeting was fruitful and wonderful and we shall wait for our superiors to talk about it,” Nyirenda said when quizzed to disclose what was discussed at the meeting.
Asked on the rumours circulating that he would be vacating the top job, Nyirenda declined to comment.
On the new call ups, Nyirenda said they were looking good in training and that the old players like Ronald ‘Sate Sate’ Kampamba and Clatous Chama were available to show them the ropes.
“What is happening now is that the new call ups will push the Ziyo’s (Tembo) who have not been called for this assignment to work hard,” Nyirenda said.
Nyirenda summoned 30 players team from which 10 were new faces and excluded the likes of Ziyo Tembo, Ernest Mbewe and Fackson Kapumbu among others.
He said the team would have three residential camps before the tournament kicks off in South Africa next month.