By Adrian Mwanza –
THE Zambia National Service (ZNS) has gone back on its earlier threats to fire Green Eagles coach Justin Chinama, saying he will instead be helped through recruitment of new players in the mid-year transfer window.
The ZNS, fearing demotion as the team sits low on the table, last week gave Chinama a must-win ultimatum against Lusaka Dynamos or get fired, but that was a game his charges instead drew.
ZNS director of sports Mathias Banda said Chinama would not be sacked and would also remain at the helm of the club.
Banda said his office had met and it was resolved that the Eagles coach would remain in charge of the team.
He said the Command had resolved to look at other avenues that would help boost the team and help fight relegation instead of removing the coach and his technical bench.
“We have rescinded our decision of taking immediate action against the coach, but we are going to look at the avenues that would help the team’s fortunes,” he said.
Banda said they had identified a number of areas where they were weak and that they would recruit new players who would help build a strong team capable of competing favourably in the premier league.
He said some of the new players were currently training with the team, but would only start featuring for Eagles after the transfer window.
“We are going to hire five good players to beef up the squad and as you are aware, we brought in Manfred Chabinga to help the coach,” he said.
He said as things stood, Chinama was still Eagles head coach and would be in charge up to the end of the season.
And SANDRA MWILA writes that Zambia Under-20 coach Bestone Chambeshi says he is impressed with the players in camp that yesterday kicked off preparations for the 2017 Africa Under-20 championship that Zambia will host.
“So far, so good. The training has been good, the turnout is okay. We are happy with the response of the boys in training.
“This is just phase one when we will train for two weeks and select four to six players from this team that will join the main Under-20 team which is graduating from Under-17.
“We have massive talent, it will be up to us as coaches to ensure that we open our ears and eyes to select good players,” Chambeshi said.
He said the main focus was to come up with a strong team for the Africa Under-20 cup.
Meanwhile, Chambeshi said the senior national team should not underrate themselves ahead of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
Chambeshi said he had observed that the team lacked oneness and that they should endeavour to work as a team during the qualifiers.
“On paper, we have been paired in a tough group but we also have a good team that can compete, no wonder they qualified to the group stage.
“Usually in football, when a team is going through a rough patch, players are demoralised but let them not underrate themselves. Chipolopolo is a strong team and the World cup dream can become a reality,” Chambeshi said.