By DIANA MUTAKAFIMBO
THE Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has stuck to its decision on the appointment of Kampamba Chintu as national team assistant coach.
FAZ communications manager Erick Mwanza said in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday that the retired defender will continue to sit on the Chipolopolo technical bench.
Mwanza said the executive committee, in its last meeting, noted the need to technically promote and expose national team stars, who are determined to get into coaching after their playing careers.
Chintu was engaged two weeks ago as Patrice Beaumelle’s deputy and this has raised concern among stakeholders who feel the 33-year-old is not yet ripe for the position.
Mwanza said the retired players with the zeal to take up coaching will be put through the normal training and developmental programmes starting with Chintu, who is already in the system and Elijah Tana, who is currently assistant coach at Nchanga Rangers.
He said Chipolopolo skipper Christopher Katongo, defender Joseph Musonda and midfielder Noah Chivuta will, upon retirement, be engaged in the technical development programmes.
“Chintu’s work as one of the assistants will help enhance his development, which bonds well for the future. He has proved to be a leader, a good tactician and rising technical expert in the coaching courses and licensing programmes that he has undertaken so far.
“He is in a class of other high-flyers with excellent prospects for the future; as such, him and a host of others will be exposed to the highest levels of technical development and attain all licensing badges as the list of coaches in the league,” he said.
Mwanza said FAZ did not shut down the league just because none of the coaches in the country possessed a CAF C license.
“We brought the courses and licensed them. It also goes today that because no Zambian coach possess a CAF A license, then we should halt the league until 2015 when they are expected to gain the licenses and experience.
“The same goes for the national team, because we don’t have local coaches assuming the top job today does not mean we should halt all national team activities and programmes for the team’s continued advancement.
“We must continue to develop and play and as we do, we enhance development of local technicians so that in years to come, they will be up to the required levels of qualifications and licensing,” he said.
Mwanza said Chintu will continue working as national team assistant coach and wondered the many comments from some football followers are devoid of fact and understanding of the technical development programmes.
He reiterated that Zambian technical experts remained largely uneducated and with no point of reference for development until a fully functional technical department was set up in 2009.
Mwanza said coaches relied on playing experience, unsanctioned and illegal programmes conveyed through manuals that were not approved by the Confederation of African Football and FIFA.
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