By SANDRA MWILA –

THE Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has challenged local trainers to put into practice the knowledge gained from the training they got from Spanish giants, Barcelona coaches in Lusaka during the week.

FAZ technical director Honour Janza said the coaches should also pass on the knowledge to the players and that the new skills acquired should reflect in future games both at club and national level.

“A lot of concepts have been impacted in our Zambian coaches and I am positive that the knowledge acquired will improve Zambian football.

“I am confident that the Zambian coaches will put the knowledge into good use and change Zambian football for the better,” he said.

Janza also presented certificates to the 30 coaches drawn from the Premier Division clubs and national teams.

He also commended the two visiting Barcelona coaches for conducting a successful two-day football clinic.

Barcelona coach Daniel Bigas Alsina said they had a good experience with the Zambian coaches who co-operated with them during the clinic.

Alsina said he had an opportunity to train with the under-20 national team and that they have the potential to grow into football stars.

“I watched the young boys train. I was impressed they have good skills and techniques that have to be developed in order to have good football,” he said.

The two coaches before departure had a stop-over at the Gabon disaster memorial site at Independence Stadium where the laid wreaths on the tombs of the fallen heroes.

Alsina and Isaac Oriol Guerrero said it was only right for them to visit the site and remember the fallen heroes.

“I was only 13 years old when the Gabon disaster happened and I remember vividly that it was an emotional period world wide,” Alsina said.