Zambia Fans could be Allowed to Vote the Coach they want

The faith of Super Eagles legend Emmanuel Amuneke as the next Coach of the Chipolopolo of Zambia could be determined by the people of the Southern African country according to the latest report.

Zambia top coaching job has been vacant for a while now as the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations winners are in danger of missing a second consecutive Africa Cup of Nations tournament following defeats to current African Champions Algeria and neighbours Zimbabwe which left them with lots of ground to cover with zero point out of a possible six in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series.
Zambia's minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development Emmanuel Mulenga says Government will not interfere in the recruitment of the Chipolopolo coach but will only insist on a transparent process that will have the voice of the public.

Mulenga said as it is the public purse that will be paying the coach, it is important for FAZ to take into consideration the views of soccer fans countrywide as they go about recruiting the coach.

“I recently had a meeting with the vice-president (Rix Mweemba) and some executive [member] from FAZ. I did ask them that the recruitment of the coach should be transparent,” he said. “Let the people have a voice in the recruitment of the coach

They (FAZ) need to announce the names of the applicants to the people. Let the people also contribute because when paying that Coach. we are using people's money" Mr Mulenga told www.daily-mail.co.zm.

"The choosing of a National team Coach is the prerogative of FAZ, not Government, but Government finances all the tournaments.

"I have been told that more than 60 Coaches have applied.

To us, the recruitment must be transparent, whether it is an international or local Coach. What are looking for at the moment is the best Coach to lead our national team.
"So as Government, we have left the issue of the Coach with FAZ, but it goes against the standard procedure, then Government will intervene because the will of the people must prevail at the end". He concluded.

FAZ General Secretary, Adrian Kashala has also confirmed that no local Coach has applied because of the UEFA Pro License or its equivalent requirement which effectively ruled them out.

In the race with the former Tanzania gaffer, Emmanuel Amuneke is recently fired eSwatini Coach Kosta Papic, Srdjan Zivojnor, Valeriu Tita and french tactician Lionel Soccoia, Brazil Marcello Trolsi and South African Graig Rosslee.

By Olamide Oyetunji