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Ex-international and former Zambian Soccer Association Vice-President Emmanuel Munaile says the appointment of George ‘Chicken’ Lwandamina as Chipolopolo acting coach to replace sacked Honour Janza has come at a wrong time.
This is because the national team is preparing for a 2017 Gabon Africa Cup qualifier against Guinea Bissau set for this Saturday.
Munaile, who played alongside Lwandamina at Mufulira Wanderers in the late 1980s through to mid 90s, said the Zesco United trainer was a good coach but FAZ could have waited after the qualifying match to make the changes on the Zambian bench.
“The appointment of Lwandamina as acting coach has come at a wrong time. In as much as FAZ could have valid reasons, waiting after the match was better. I know he is an experienced coach but it’s not easy for players to adopt to his philosophy in three days,” he said.
FAZ fired Janza on Monday handing him the disappointment letter at the airport and immediately replaced him with Lwandamina.
Lwandamina was introduced to the players on their arrival from Ethiopia at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe.
FAZ state Janza will continue in his post at technical director and wished him well.
Supporters chairperson Peter Makembo said the appointment of the new coach few days before an important game might have serious implications on the performance of the team.
Makembo said Lwandamina has not been with the team for some time now and wondered how he will approach the Guinea Bissau match.
“It is bad news for us soccer fans. You just don’t change a coach three days before the match; what a decision! Janza had already built a team ahead of Saturday’s match.
“The decision was too soon and we hope it will not have a negative impact on the team’s performance. Janza should walk with his head high,” he said.
Makembo however said that fans will rally behind Lwandamina because he was a local coach.
ZambiaReports
