By GRACE CHAILE –

SPORTS Minister Chishimba Kambwili has expressed happiness with changes the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has made to the technical bench of the various national football teams.

Kambwili said he was happy that FAZ has appointed coaches that have shown the will to deliver the needed results, but advised the newly-appointed trainers not be complacent as working for the national teams required sacrifice and dedication.

The minister also distanced himself in influencing the selection of the new coaches, apart from urging FAZ last year to deal with non-performing coaches.

Kambwili last year expressed disappointment over the Zambia Under-20 early elimination from the COSAFA Youth Championships that were held in Lesotho.

“FAZ is the appointing authority and I believe my suggestion to get rid of non-performing coaches cannot compel the association in anyway. I have never influenced the decision of FAZ.

For instance, the performance by the under-20 at the 2013 COSAFA Youth Championship in Lesotho was below par and I don’t accept failure and therefore, where necessary I comment,” he said.

FAZ have appointed Chintu Kampamba as Chipolopolo and Under-23 assistant coach, while Masautso Mwale and Oswald Mutapa have been dropped from the senior and under-20 soccer teams respectively.

Fighton Simukonda has been placed in charge of the Olympic team and will be assisted by Kampamba and Tenant Chilumba while at Under-20 level, George ‘Chicken’ Lwandamina will take charge and will be assisted by Bilton Musonda and Hector Chilombo.

Chris Kaunda remains coach of the junior side to be assisted by Joel Bwalya and Rueben Njavera while Albert Kachinga has been elevated to coach the Women senior team when he returns from Costa Rica for the FIFA under-17 World Cup finals. Charles Bwale remains in charge of the under-20 side.