By NDINAWE SIMPELWE –
WITH George Lwandamina’s return to Zesco United eminent, interim coach Tenant Chembo has hinted he may leave the club after his contract.
And Zesco general secretary Richard Mulenga has denied that the club had promised to elevate Chembo to head coach after the departure of Zlatko Krmpotić.
Speaking after mauling Jeshi la Kujenga Uchumi of Zanzibar 7-0 in the preliminary round, return leg at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Chembo wished Lwandamina well when he returns to coach Zesco.
Lwandamina left Zesco at the close of the 2015 season to coach Young ‘Yanga” Africans of Tanzania whom he led the 2016 league title triumph.
Chembo said it was time he made up his mind about what he wants but indicated that he has a contract to honour with Zesco.
“It’s football. You know in life, there comes a time when you have to make up your mind and to be independent as well. I wish him well when he gets into town,” Chembo said.
He said he had learnt a lot from Lwandamina who is popularly known as “Chicken George” and was confident the former national team coach will do a better job than him.
“Big George, he is a fundi(hunter) of football here in Zambia. I have worked with him, I have high respect for him. I think I have drunk wisdom from him. I have a contract to honour. I know he can do a better job,” Chembo said.
Meanwhile Mulenga refuted media claims that Chembo was promised the head coach job and refused to discuss Lwandamina.
“George is contracted to Young Africans. It will be disrespectful for me to begin talking about someone else’s employee,” Mulenga said.
Mulenga said there was no promise that was made but that Chembo will be considered if he did well after taking over from Krmpotić.
Asked if Chembo has done enough to warrant him the job, Mulenga said he was still underconsideration.
“What I said to Tenant is do your job and you will be looked at when we consider who we should appoint permanently. Let your work speak for itself. There was no promise on the table. And like I said today is a day we need to talk about this historic victory not discussing Tenant’s job,” Mulenga said.
When Zesco put Krmpotić on forced leave last season due to a string of uninspiring results, Chembo took over the team and was tasked to win the league which he did beating Zanaco to the title by one point.
Former club secretary Justin Mumba had indicated that Chembo had done well and proved that he was ready to take up the job.
But sources within the club have revealed that Lwandamina is on the verge of making a second stint at the club.
The source revealed that Lwandamina could be in charge of the team as early as next month during the Samuel “Zoom” Ndhlovu Charity Shield against Napsa Stars which could mean the 7-0 bashing of JKU was Chembo’s farewell to the club.