. Pivoty Simwanza

By SANDRA MWILA –
FOOTBALL Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Andrew Kamanga has warned Pivoty Simwanza and Damiano Mutale against inciting lower division clubs to reject the adoption of the new Electoral College and to boycott games.
But Mutale said he was merely speaking for the voiceless clubs that are planning to boycott league games because FAZ has failed to explain how the reduction of the Electoral College will affect them.
Kamanga said in an interview that Simwanza, a former FAZ executive member, and Mutale, owner of Damiano Academy, have been inciting lower division clubs to boycott games but warned that the two will be dealt with firmly.
He said it was an act of lawlessness for Simwanza and Mutale to go round clubs to de-campaign a FIFA directive to have the Electoral College reduced by September 30.
“I want to warn Pivoty and Damiano who have been going round inciting members from our lower league clubs to boycott league games and also reject the new Electoral College. FAZ will deal with them firmly because that is an act of lawlessness to go round misleading our members and de-campaigning a FIFA directive,” Kamanga said.
He added that the office of the general secretary issued a circular to all clubs last week on the reduction of the Electoral College including the road map FAZ will take.
Kamanga has since advised lower division clubs not to be misled but seek clarification from the FAZ general secretary’s office if they had concerns.
“I appeal to FAZ members to adhere to the FIFA directive or we face a ban, the general secretary sent out letters to all clubs last week informing them on the reducing of Electoral College and if they have any concerns, they should address them with the general secretary.
“Boycotting league games will be an act of indiscipline and it shall not be condoned,” he said.
However, Mutale said in a separate interview that clubs are protesting by boycotting league games because FAZ has not explained to them clearly how the new Electoral College would work.
Mutale said clubs were aggrieved because they do not know what will happen to them after September 30 when membership is reduced from 350 to about 100.
“I am just a voice for the voiceless, councillors are aggrieved and they are coming to me asking what will happen to them after September 30. Lower Division clubs are complaining that FAZ is not explaining to them how reduction of the Electoral College will be done and no wonder they are planning to boycott games as a way of protesting.
“Why is FAZ failing to call a meeting and explain fully the Electoral College because people have no idea what’s going on. All they know is that after 30 September they will be demoted to amateur clubs and they will be unable to sell players to Super league clubs,” Mutale said.
Efforts to reach Simwanza proved futile as his phones repeatedly went unanswered.