CONFUSION ALL THE WAY…
CONFUSION! Confusion! Confusion! That is what has characterised the premature end to the 2019/2020 Zambian Super Division.
No sooner had Nkana players, staff and fans gone into celebration and gearing for the hoisting of the coveted title, did the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) announce that the Forest Rangers appeal against Zanaco had gone through, ordering for a replay.
The announcement left many in awe. Why did the FAZ appeals committee wait until Thursday to make the decision?
It must be mentioned that how FAZ have handled this league season has been second-rate. It is understandable that no one was prepared for the Covid-19 pandemic, but ending the league in this manner erodes confidence of fair play and raises more questions. And has also wind-swept the exciting end to it despite the Covid-19 hitch.
FAZ have been making decisions irrationally which has made the league lose control and direction.
The decision made by the appeals committee to overturn the earlier ruling by the disciplinary committee of awarding Zanaco three points and a 3-0 scoreline was not a wrong one on itself but it was how and when it was delivered that raised an uproar.
The Forest-Zanaco fixture was supposed to be played before all the teams completed their fixtures. For the sake of fair play, the appeals committee was supposed to make a ruling before the crucial game on Thursday.
Fair play has not been exercised and Forest may win the last game considering the fact that Zanaco – obviously demoralised - have nothing to fight for. One mark of a good decision maker is to make timely and comprehensive decisions but FAZ have been far from that in this whole commotion.
FAZ must definitely be held accountable for their failure to handle the league in a proper manner. We hope that this is the first and last time we are seeing such confusion in Zambian football. Let this be a learning curve for all. We continue talking via chailegrace21@gmail.com