‘PROGRESS MADE’

…FAZ to provide road map on Chipolopolo coach selection

THE Football Association of Zambia FAZ says it has reached an advanced stage with the selection of the next Chipolopolo coach with the Ministry of Youth Sport and Arts providing the guidance on the finer parts of the process.

FAZ president Andrew Kamanga said that despite the association having the ultimate decision to appoint the next coach, it acknowledges the input of other critical stakeholders in the process to identify a new gaffer.

Kamanga said FAZ will soon provide a roadmap on the final steps of selection and the structure of the next Chipolopolo coach.

Meanwhile, Kamanga has wished the Under-17 boys and girls teams best of luck as they compete at the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region V Games in Lilongwe.

While the women’s team will be seeking to defend their title, the boys’ under-17 team will be seeking a top two finish to qualify for the Africa Cup.

Kamanga noted that FAZ is particularly excited with the under-17 project as success at the junior level provides a strong foundation for the future.

He however noted that winning is not the ultimate objective at junior level but ensuring that the youth are provided a strong foundation as part of the wider development process.

Kamanga said Zambia has been luck that the decentralization of the Zambian game has given the provincial offices an opportunity to search for talent that can be fed in national teams.

He said decentralisation will ultimately be the game changer in the manner they manage the game in the future.

Kamanga noted that while FAZ can comb for talent from the provinces through its satellite offices and technical experts, the association has no control over where the players end up after being identified by different well to do clubs and academies.

He implored FAZ provincial talent scouts not to relent but continue unearthing talents so that they can be developed and given a better chance of success through development.