. Fortune

By SANDRA MWILA –

FORMER Manchester United striker, Quinton Fortune says Zambian football is on the right track and capable of recording success with good organisation and professionalism.

Fortune told journalists yesterday during a football clinic at the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC) that football could only develop if the right people were in charge.

The former South Africa player said the Zambian game seemed to be on the right track because it was been run by experienced and passionate sportsmen like Kalusha Bwalya.

“Zambian football is on the right track because you have professionals like Kalusha Bwalya in charge who are experienced and have passion for the sport,” he said.

Fortune said the Chipolopolo had no star players but have a good team spirit which was a good remedy for achieving success.

“I watched the Africa Cup in 2012 and Zambia had no star players but because of their team spirit they managed to win the championship,” Fortune, who starred for the English Premiership giants, said.

Fortune also urged the under 20 national team to be determined and have the desire of the sport to succeed.

“It does not matter where you come from. What matters is determination and desire and you can make it. I come from Cape Town (South Africa) but I managed to play at Manchester United and you can make it too,” he advised.

He told the Under-20 players that it was not easy to break into England but possible if they get the necessary experience at national team level.

“I would advise players to leave the country when they are still young but what blocks players is that they have to play 75 per cent of games at national team,” he said.

Kalusha, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president, said it was an honour to have Fortune in the country to help groom the budding footballers.

He told Fortune that Zambian football was making steady progress and that his FAZ executive wanted to see all age-group and women national teams qualify to various FIFA World Cup competitions.

“We are already on the right track our senior Shepolopolo have qualified to the Africa Women Championship and the under 20 boys are remaining with the final round to qualify,” he said.

Kalusha said the responsibility was with the coaches to ensure all teams qualify to their various championships.