THERE is need for Zambians to move on and stop crying foul over the decision by the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) to award the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosting rights to Cameroon.
But rather there is need to see to it that the development agenda of constructing ultra modern stadia across the country continues so that Zambia can in future be in a good position to bid to host the continental soccer showpiece.
While CAF has been condemned for awarding three consecutive AFCON hosting to West African countries, I feel there is need for Zambia to get back to the drawing board and see where we went wrong so that we can do better next time.
Much as bidding to host the 2019 edition raised lots of excitement among fans, there was also need to have been realistic considering that Zambia only has two ultra modern stadia-Levy Mwanawasa Stadium and Heroes National Stadium to boast of when presenting the bid.
Thus, there is need to continue with the same momentum of promise that a stadium will be built in Livingstone and Mongu in Western Province before going to other provinces so that one day we can present a bid based on the available infrastructure unlike giving promises.
Going by the goodwill exhibited by government, I concur with the sentiments expressed by Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) vice president Boniface Mwamelo, who said that there should be continuous effort in working towards ensuring the realisation of the dream of hosting Africa’s master piece in the future.
Mwamelo said there was need for the country to continue with its programme of sports infrastructure development so that in future, when an opportunity arises, especially at short notice, Zambia can be able to seize it and host.
The same comments were expressed by Patrick Kangwa, the Zambia Football Coaches Association (ZAFCA) president and former Referees Association of Zambia (RAZ) president Welly Chikuka on the need to continue with infrastructure development so that the country can be in a better position for future competitions.
For now, it will do us good to look at what needs to be done to ensure that these facilities are put in place so that, in-case of a country failing to host the AFCON, we can be called upon on short notice to stage the event.
We have the Africa Youth Championship to look forward to in 2017 and I feel Zambia needs to show the continent what it can do so that CAF sees what they would miss out by not giving this soccer frenzy nation the rights to host the AFCON.
Continuous crying over spilled milk will not do us and the nation any good but let us have the infrastructure in place so that we do not give the CAF executive committee members loopholes not to award us the hosting rights.
And for those who missed the announcement by CAF, only countries that have hosted the AFCON before will be allowed to bid for the 2017 edition which Libya was supposed to host before insecurity in that country saw them forfeit the rights.
Lastly, let me congratulate the Zambia netball team for qualifying for the Sydney 2015 World Championship after finishing second during the qualifiers held in Botswana. Hope they will be rewarded by both government and private sector for their feat.
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