I AM not really convinced that the decision to engage Dutchman Nico Labohm as Chipolopolo assistant coach will help improve the team’s performance in the remaining Morocco 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The larger problem facing the Chipolopolo is well known by everyone that has been following the team from the time we won the AFCON title in 2012.
While many countries have changed their squads, we have opted to remain with the tired legs and this is not helping the Chipolopolo in any way as evidenced by results since winning the AFCON.
Poor preparations have continued to hamper the team ahead of crucial matches, though at-least yesterday, the team managed to leave after an eight-hour delay unlike the case in the Ghana and Cape Verde fiascos.
Only when we start to put all things in place can we confidently start challenging to be powerhouses of African football and I doubt if the presence of the new assistant coach would really change the results and performance overnight.
Without taking anything away from him, Labohm is a well qualified coach who has spent most of it identifying and nurturing talent in Holland-where we are told he played a part in the rise of Robin Van Perise, China and South Africa among others.
And really, did FAZ have to wait for a directive from Chishimba Kambwili to make the move when everyone was uncomfortable with Janza leading the Chipolopolo?
I have received enquires from people trying to find out my views about the Dutchman but I have opted to give him a chance and see how best he will work in the remaining fixtures with Janza.
Away from the coach, improper travelling plans seem not to have been rectified as the Chipolopolo, who were scheduled to leave the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport as early as 09:00 hours could only leave around 16:20 hours.
This is despite the many assurances that came after the Cape Verde fiasco that saw the contingent leave Ndola hours before the match and the team ended up being beaten 2-1 to remain on one point.
The Chipolopolo have made a bad start to the qualifiers and many doubt if the 2012 African Kings can win the remaining games and secure qualification, and yesterday’s hiccup was unnecessary.
However, yesterday’s delay, in my view, is not what an under pressure coach like Janza would want to experience especially that he knows that nothing than a win would almost close the curtains on the team qualification.
The team wasted training time by waiting for a chartered plane whose time kept changing as the day progressed, a development with a huge potential to demoralises the players and the coaches’ game plans.
Well, unless Janza had taken the boys for a workout in view of the change in time.
There is need to be pragmatic in the manner the national soccer team is being handled because there is tax payers money involved. The citizens who have continued to fund football through tax deserve to appreciate the value of their money by getting the desired results.
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