. Mwila

By GODFREY DUBE –
FRED Mwila has counselled players not to get affected with the change of administration but professional by giving their best on the field of play.
The former national team coach has also urged the newly elected Andrew Kamanga Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) executive committee to ensure they fulfil the promises made during campaigns.
Mwila said in an interview that football players should not owe  allegiance to administrators, but should concentrate on playing football not depending on who was in office.
“I want to urge our players to remain focused on playing football and should not have any allegiance to an administrator. I believe players are professionals, who should adapt once a change has been made,” he said.
He said there was need to support whosoever was in charge and also pledged to support Chipolopolo coach George ‘Chicken’ Lwandamina.
“I hope this executive can revive the technical committee so that we veteran coaches can contribute to the growth of the game by offering our wisdom. I am sure the team has what it takes to qualify to the Africa Cup finals,” he said.
Mwila said coaches will always be available to support the national team and help in whatever way they could to better the game in the country.
And Mwila said it was important for Kamanga to embrace former president Kalusha Bwalya so that the two could work together and take Zambian football to greater heights.
He expressed happiness that Kamanga pledged to look into the welfare of retired coaches and players.
“We are happy to have Kamanga as president and I am happy with what he said about looking after us, retired coaches and players. We shall appreciate, especially that we contributed a lot to the development of the sport in the country,” he said.
Mwila also thanked President Edgar Lungu for aiding 20 former Zambia soccer stars through economic empowerment.
“It is a good move by the President, this will motivate not only the coaches and national team, but every sportsman and woman in the country to work hard and make Zambia proud so as to gain recognition,” he said.
The beneficiaries of the Presidential Empowerment Initiative included the 1974 and 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) silver medalists. The retired footballers were each given an MTN electronic vending machine with K1,000 start-up capital following a request from the KK11 Soccer Trust.