Zambianfootball.net

Mulonga accepts defeat
FORMER FAZ president Teddy Mulonga has said he did not expect the outcome of Saturday’s elections in which Kalusha Bwalya was elected president.

And sports minister Gabriel Namulambe has called on the newly-elected FAZ executive committee to quickly spell out their vision for the development of the sport in the country.

In an interview after losing the FAZ elections at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, Mulonga however conceded defeat and congratulated Bwalya for the victory.

Bwalya, who deputised Mulonga in the past executive, won the hotly contested election with 120 votes against his closest rival while Hanif Adams managed to get 11 votes.

“For me, it was not a matter of life and death. To be frank, I didn’t expect the outcome but it’s okay,” he said.

Mulonga said he will now take a break but would continue offering service to the game.

“I will continue being in football. I have played my part and let others do their part,” he added.

Mulonga urged Bwalya and his executive to work hard and take football to greater heights.

“Congratulations to Mr Bwalya and his team. I am sure he is able to push football to another level. The beauty about the game is that if you promise, you better get things done,” he said.

“It remains to be seen what change entails. I wish them all the best of luck,” he said.
Mulonga urged the in-coming executive committee not to do away with the spirit of volunteerism.

“There is absolutely no bitterness in me about the outcome of this election. I think the electorate have spoken and to be bitter is negative, you lose focus,” he said.

Mulonga said he was proud of the achievements by his executive committee.

Meanwhile, Namulambe said the new executive led by former FAZ vice-president Kalusha Bwalya should meet as soon as possible to spell out their objectives.

“What we want to see is improvement of football in Zambia, so the new executive should meet to discuss what they want to achieve,” he said.

Namulambe urged the new executive to focus on the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
He also called for unity among the new executive.

“The new executive should get organised and work together because unity is what is important in an association,” Namulambe said.
He added that they should also lobby for sponsorship from the corporate world.

Namulambe said the outgoing FAZ executive should continue rendering support to the new executive.

“There is no one with the monopoly of wisdom, so the former FAZ executive should open their doors for consultation,” said Namulambe-The Post

Sudan’s Al Hilal arrive tomorrow
ZESCO United’s opponents in the CAF Africa champions league Al Hilal of Sudan arrive in the country tomorrow ahead of the second round, second leg match slated for Trade Fair grounds in Ndola on Saturday.

Zesco secretary Justin Mumba confirmed yesterday that Al Hilal would fly directly to Ndola from Sudan aboard a chartered flight.

He said it was possible for his team to overturn the tables.
“Fans should rally behind the team but it will not be an easy game because the players are going to play a game of their life,” Mumba said.

Zesco lost 2-0 to Al Hilal in the first leg played a fortnight ago in Khartoum and must score three unanswered goals to reach the second round of the tournament.

Winner over both legs will face winner of the first round tie between Mamelodi Sundowns and Curepipe Starlight of Mauritius in round two late in April.

Meanwhile, Zesco midfielder Rainford Kalaba has started light training after being left out of the under-23 team due to knee injury.

In an interview, Kalaba said he was recovering well and was confident of getting back to action next week.

He said the injury was not very serious and would continue training to keep fit.

“I am recovering well and I am sure I will play for my team next week,” Kalaba said.

Mumba said Kalaba had been treated and was currently on observation.

He said the doctor had recommended that he start light training to keep in shape.

He said the doctors would continue observing him, adding that the final decision on whether to engage him or not would be made on Wednesday.

“We are putting him under observation and the final decision on whether he will play or not will be made on Wednesday,” Mumba said.

Mumba said the recovery of the talented midfielder would boost the team ahead of their second round return leg against Al hilal of Sudan.
Kalaba picked up an injury last month during CAF Champions League return leg against Uganda Revenue Authority in Ndola.

However, the 2007 Footballer of the year featured for Zesco in the opening league match and again picked up an injury which has seen him out of action for two weeks-The Post

Swaziland took the lead in the ninth minute through striker, Mbusi Gina, after being gifted by the Zambian defenders.

Gina took advantage of the communication breakdown between defenders, Eugene Shamakamba and Hichani Himoonde, to slot the ball into the net.

After conceding the goal, Zambia re-organised themselves and their efforts almost paid dividends when Reuben Tembo fluffed a Kennedy Mudenda’s cross with only goalkeeper, Njabuliso Simmelane, to beat after a neat build-up.

Coach, Peter Kaumba’s Zambia, who were seemingly unsettled by Swaziland’s early goal, almost got punished again in the 19th minute when Mfanzile Dlamini’s shot was palmed away by goalkeeper, Mike Poto.

After the break, the Zambian team, cheered by Zambians residing in Swaziland, upped the tempo of their game with teenage striker and Zamalek bound, Emmanuel Mayuka, arguably man-of-the-match, causing havoc in the Swaziland defence.

Zambia finally restored parity in the 70th minute through midfielder, Njobvu, who connected a Mayuka pass inside the penalty box.

Kaumba’s team continued raiding the hosts’ territory in the final moments of this game but failed to get the winner.

After the match, Kaumba said the early goal that his side conceded disturbed the whole game plan, and hoped that the same mistake would not happen in Lusaka when the two sides meet for the second leg.

“The results are not bad, though we did not win. It was a tough game but I am very optimistic that we will beat the Swaziland national team in the second leg match to be played in Lusaka in a fortnight’s time,” he said.

The coach also attributed to the team’s failure to score more goals to playing on an artificial turf which he said the boys were not used to.