By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –

. Kawri

NEWLY-appointed Chipolopolo assistant coach Irfan Kawri has reportedly ditched the squad which starts its African Nations Championship (CHAN) campaign on Tuesday against Zimbabwe.
Having spent just three weeks after his appointment, Kawri is believed to have been offered another coaching job in the United Kingdom (UK) where he is heading to try and tie up the deal.
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) yesterday only confirmed that Kawri, who had travelled with the team to South Africa for training camp and also flew into Rwanda, returned to Zambia and would be procceding to England.
There was no word as to why he returned prematurely only that it was a private trip and no mention on the job offer.
“Assistant coach Irfan Kawri has returned to Lusaka from where he will proceed to go back to his England base. Kawri returns for private and family reasons,” a short worded statement from FAZ read.
The statement also stated that the Christopher Katongo-led squad was informed of the decision by both Kawri and his boss George ‘Chicken’ Lwandamina.
“Coach George Lwandamina and Kawri informed the squad of the private reasons. Lwandamina hailed Kawri’s work and the great contribution to the preparation of the CHAN team,” the statement said.
Kawri was a surprise appointment just before Christmas with FAZ saying the former Zambia Under-20 defender would work with the technical bench during the CHAN tournament as Lwandamina’s assistant with his role to be reviewed after the tournament.
However, new information emerged that the Briton would be with the team for just two matches at the CHAN before returning to his base and continue with his job at the KD Grammar School for Boys as a Physical Education (PE) teacher and also pursue his UFEA Level A coaching course.
Kawri is said to have got permission to work with the Chipolopolo team but just for the CHAN as he is also pursuing his coaching badges with the English FA where he is now doing UEFA A licence after completing his UEFA preparation last month.
This new twist to the tale leaves FAZ to fall back on Mike Poto and Chintu Kampamba as the assistants to Lwandamina.
Poto, who celebrated his birthday on Friday, is a goalkeeper coach while Kampamba is a fitness coach.
Kawri’s short but controversial stint has been hailed by, among others, FAZ committee member Pivoty Simwanza, who said the coach had added a new dimension to coaching and had a good relationship with Lwandamina.
Meanwhile, skipper Katongo says Zambia can cope with any weather conditions and described the preparations for the tournament as good.
“Everything is going on well. The preparations are good and the spirit in the team is good. We are comfortable with the weather. We will cope. It’s not as hot here as it was when we were preparing back home.
“All is well and in the remaining few days, the coach completes the tactical side, we will be ready,” he said.
Zambia is in Group D with Zimbabwe, Uganda and Mali.