.MAKWAZA

By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE –

EX-KK11 stars have called for a review of the Chipolopolo’s performance at the 2013 and the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments that have seen the team eliminated at the group stage.
Dickson Makwaza, a former national team captain, said the team played well despite suffering early elimination but that it was important for the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to review the team’s performance and make necessary adjustments.
Makwaza, who was part of the local coaches technical bench assigned to rebuild the national team after the 1993 Gabon air disaster, also backed calls to retain Chipolopolo head coach Honour Janza.
“It’s very easy to build a strong team and I think the current pace with Janza should continue. However, it is important for FAZ to convene a stakeholders meeting involving coaches, life members, executive members and veterans among others to review Zambia’s performance and chart the way forward,” he said.
He said under-performance during a transition period was normal and that the perpetual changing of national team coaches will negatively affect the momentum of building a strong team for the future.
“The performance of the team was not bad, and with experience gained, the team will do better at the 2017 edition and they just need encouragement. We have experienced local coaches like Wedson Nyirenda, George Lwandamina, Fighton Simukonda and Patrick Phiri, who can be called in to assist Janza,” Makwaza said.
Dean Mwiinde said the Chipolopolo squad that comprised young players had now gained enough experience to challenge for the AFCON title at the next AFCON edition.
Mwiinde, a former hard tackling defender, said time was ripe for the football fraternity to build confidence in local coaches and that Janza was capable of building a winning team.
“This should be the time for local coaches to steer the national team and I think we can sit and find the answers to the team’s dismal performances but most importantly, Janza has put in place a team that is still learning and can do far much better than this next time,” Mwiinde said.
Former Zambia midfielder Jericho Shinde said there was no need to regret over the team’s performance and urged the Chipolopolo to soldier on.
“The tournament was a learning curve for most of the players and I think there is always the beginning and the end and so the time for the old players has come to an end we should therefore support these young players who are taking over the mantle,” Shinde said.