By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE –
GOVERNMENT has called for serious introspection into what led to the poor performance of national teams at various international tournaments.
The Chipolopolo squad, Under-20 and 17 teams suffered early elimination at the Equatorial Guinea 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Africa Junior Championship in Niger and the Africa Youth Championship )(AYC) respectively.
This was after the women Under-17 and the senior teams exited the FIFA Under-17 Women World Cup in Costa Rica and Africa Women Championship (AWC) in Namibia at group stage.
Officiating at the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) annual general meeting (AGM) in Kabwe yesterday, Sports Deputy Minister Ronald Chitotela said Zambia’s performance was not inspiring.
“Following the eliminations of our various teams at their respective tournaments, we need to identify the causes of the failures. Zambia’s performance was not encouraging. We need to get to work and ensure that the failures are not repeated.
Despite the failures the eliminations that we suffered, the future of Zambian football is bright and I think FAZ should remain focused in improving the level of football in the country,” Chitotela said.
He urged FAZ to build formidable teams that will yield positive results at the 2017 Under-20 Africa Youth Championships which Zambia will host and the 2017 AFCON.
Chitotela added that FAZ should step up their efforts in spreading women football to all parts of the country and pledged Government’s support to football at all levels.
“There are so many talented women footballers in rural areas and I would like to challenge to spread the tentacles to rural areas unlike concentrating on teams along the line of rail. FAZ should get committed in developing women football,” he said.
FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya said the association will ensure adequate preparations for the national teams ahead of the 2017 AFCON, 2015 All Africa Games and Rwanda 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers.
“The 2012 AFCON winning team was formed in 2004 and it took the eight years to triumph on the African continental and we have embarked on a new circle of players in the national teams that will yield positive results in the years to come,” he said.
Kalusha called for unity among all its affiliates adding that football can only develop with concerted efforts from all stakeholders.