Sven fumes

accuses FAZ of denting his coaching career

ZAMBIA national soccer team coach Sven Vandenbroeck has accused the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) of denting his coaching career by announcing that they will not renew his contract without stating that he too was not interested in extending it. In an e-mail received by Daily Nation Sport yesterday on a FAZ headed paper, Vandenbroeck further revealed that on February 14, 2019, he wrote a message that he resigned to FAZ president Andrew Kamanga. However, FAZ described Vandenbroeck statement circulated to the media as fake. But in an interview with Nation Sports reporter, Vandenbroeck confirmed writing the letter and e-mailing it to journalists. “I confirm that I wrote the letter, it is not forged or fake as FAZ wants to make it look,” he said. Vandenbroeck claimed he had a meeting with Kamanga where it was agreed that the two parties fulfil their contractual obligations until March 31, when his contract expires. “Ten days before the press release of the federation (that they will not renew my contract), I already communicated clearly to the president that it would be better to not continue and extend the contract. In fact, on 14th February ’19, I wrote the president a message that I resign,” “On 18th February 2019, we had a formal meeting to deal with my issues, after the president came back from duties abroad. In this meeting we discussed to behave as adults and we all agreed to fulfil both side’s contractual obligations until the end of the contract on 31/03/2019, but not continuing beyond. I’m disappointed with the wrong perception created by FAZ to the outside world. I’m a young coach, full of ambition that wants to work in an environment that allows progress,” he said. He said after setting up structures as national team coach, FAZ interfered with his job. “After proposing many projects and trying to set up structures, I came to the conclusion that our ambitions were not running parallel. Bit by bit, it felt like my arms and legs were cut off to do my job as I should be,” he said. The Belgian charged that Zambia had potential to get results if the sport was under good management and a well organised system. Meanwhile, Vandenbroeck said his target is to ensure

he wins the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match against Namibia on March 23, which is his last assignment as coach of the Chipolopolo team. “I feel myself 100 percent ready for my last four weeks in probably difficult circumstances. I don’t fear the responsibility to guide the team to the best level possible. My ambition is to leave Zambia with a positive result against Namibia on 23rd,” he said. FAZ communications manager Mwazipeza Chanda said only the president, general secretary and deputy general secretary can send correspondence on a FAZ letter head. “The Football Association of Zambia send official communication through the media office and correspondence issued on a FAZ letterhead is limited to the FAZ president, FAZ general secretary and deputy general secretary. The document being circulated is on a forged FAZ letterhead. The national team is currently preparing for the March 23 game,” said Chanda.