37 Comments on "Papers: Kalu hunting for Gavin"

Justice Kafusha on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 11:02 AM 



Why even pay them when they lost, they should have got nothing

chamz on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 11:16 AM 



Gavin is a good coach but I think he will take over Bafana Bafana

Zed Zed on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 12:07 PM 



Not Gavin please. Check outside Africa.

Spaks on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 12:15 PM 



It would be good to have Gavin, but i doubt we can afford him.

Big Steve from SA on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 12:57 PM 



Gavin is good but even he himself does not know his quality in coaching a National team, club football is very different. @Spaks, at $25000 a month we can afford him. This is more than what he gets at SS. Winning the PSL three times in a row and contributing a player to the world cup squad and also having a player win the PSL player of the year also shows he is a good talent identifier and generaly a very good coach but I think at this point Zambia needs a seasoned National team coach.

vinkubala on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 1:29 PM 



Let’s go for the tried and tested. No need for experiments here. Coaching a Club in South Africa is different from coaching a national team. I definitely agree that SuperSport are three times league champions in a row. The question is : how far have they gone in CAF competitions? This clearly shows that Hunt is not the right man for the job. Let’s look elsewhere unless if we don’t have much ka-Ngwee in our pocket.

Seen from afar on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 2:05 PM 



I am not for the notion that paying higher for a coach or the biggest name will yield better results. I am also skeptical whether certain coaches will have the ambition that will be crucial to our efforts. The case is still the same – we have something to prove, likewise we need a coach who has something to prove. Let’s face it, the job will require more commitment and dedication where HR went a stray. Ok let’s have better funding spread across the board rather than putting all towards a coaches pay, by all means make a salary fair, but let’s not play an international coach money game. We can get a good coach if we offer him a fair chance and respect.

The criteria is also that the more outside, the more a coach can see with fresh eyes, the more they can operate independently the better, which is why we like many others countries are seeking a “foreign” coach.

I am not sure Gavin Hunt fits that criteria very well given everything…

Stylish on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 2:20 PM 



Are we looking for a ‘white’ coach or just a good coach? Gavin is no better than our own Wada Wadad. They’ve both won 3 consecutive league titles with Wada having an edge considering the fact that he won it with 2 teams and only missed the CL group stage by a whisker. It is time we got ourselves a good coach with serious coaching credentials to protect. I wouldn’t mind if Kalu went for Bruno Metsu or Philip Troussier

Mushani on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 2:32 PM 



not against….lets wait n c!

Positive thinking ..aka Awe on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 2:34 PM 



@Justice …. This mentality of not paying players when they lose is just wrong. Firstly these guys were called in at the last minute and shipped off to South America, without even knowing who their coach was going to be. They put up a spirited performance against the 15th ranked team in the world. How silly would it be, to say we want to play quality opposition, but we will not pay guys who fly in from all over the place if they lose. Very soon you’ll see guys will stop answering the call… “die a little for mother Zambia, while we pay you peanuts”

ROK on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 2:44 PM 



I would have thought the first thing to do is to spell out clearly the specifications of the coach we are looking for. Ideally, this should be done collectively by the FAZ executive. After having set out the selection criteria, that is when you go out and identify the coach (es) that fits in the criteria at the most economic terms and conditions. This can be done either by open advertising or head-hunting. For transparency’s sake, open advertising is prefered. I doubt if FAZ has had time to do that and mandated Kalu to go out ‘hunting’. For heaven’s sake, i would strongly discourage a solo effort in ‘hunting’ for the coach and conduct a one-on-one interview. Let FAZ use lessons learned to better things. We are all for the new experienced coach but let us do it the right way as there is no right way of doing a wrong thing. Reading in one of the papers of today, there is already an indication that the other camp within FAZ is very unlikely to accept a coach head-hunted by one or two people. Why not doing things collectively and transparently for a change?

Spaks on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 2:50 PM 



Ba Steve,i would love to have Keshi and i agree we need someone who kows what he is doing, i wonder if Jose would do well at National level

Amuna Onzuna on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 3:04 PM 



How about a Brazillian Coach?.Why cant Chipungu step in,the Brazillian Ambassador offered help of a Coach,why cant we utilse the opportunity?

logic on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 3:10 PM 



@Justice, I don’t agree with the notion of not paying these guys just cause they lost. We need to treat our players with respect regardless of the outcome. We can not only praise them when they win and then turn around and vilify them when they don’t. Like Positive Thinking said, one sure way to help our National team perform well is to ensure that issues of money do not get in the way. From Press reports, FAZ made between 60 and 120 grand from this all expense paid trip, surely they could have afforded to pay these guys a couple grand each at the very least.

Big Steve from SA on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 3:32 PM 



@ Amuna Onzuna The nationality of a coach does not determine if he is a good coach or not. Its his C.V that should speak for itself not his nationality. No disrespect but I wonder if Chipungu puts a lot of thought into the things he says sometimes.

@ Spaks have also always wondered why some of the biggest club coaches don’t make too much of an effort to coach national teams. ferguson/ mourinho have achieved everything achievable at club level, why not move on and win big with a national team? I guess these coaches also know their safety nets lie in club football.

@ vinkubala I agree my brother we need to quit experimenting. We have been experimenting for years and years and this has not brought any decent trophy to football house. Seasoned coaches like keshi are available at the moment. We need a seasoned coach to take the helm and lets see if this will change our fortunes.

@Seen from afar I will say one thing, money makes things happen. You pay peanuts you get monkeys. If we go on some philosophical road trip about spreading the money and not paying the coach good money we will always be stuck at this very level of no trophies and sembe sembe stories.

Justice Kafusha on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 3:42 PM 



@positive
and @logic first of I really appreciate your contributions which is a good thing for Zambian football. Just like you do not agree with me I still maintain my stance, why pay failuers? These players have been together for a long time and that we all know. They were paid $300 but they were still damanding for more, just where is the justification in this case? The dudes were paid $300 for the loss and yet they want more, more for what? Gents I think we need to support our players where they deserve our support. 3-0, $300 dollars

Justice Kafusha on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 3:52 PM 



just to add something our players should not think that quaterfinal is the best Zanbia has reached. Aim high mind you we have a zambian player who is the only one to have been named African footballer of the year in the southern region. We lose to Chile and our players want $3000, nonsense. If I were FAZ President they players would have got nothing other than a free flight and a meal. Twila tumpika ama players iyo

Big Steve from SA on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 4:08 PM 



@ Justice Kafusha I agree with you on a 50/50. The guys should not be paid a winning bonus fine, but they should be paid everything else like training allowance. Yes I agree we should not award failures but then again the guys have to eat. You can not put anyone on a 24hr flight to the other half of the world and tell him he lost so he should just go home. The only money they should not be paid is the winning bonus but everything else they should be paid, they also need to eat win or loose.

Kai Kai on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 4:11 PM 



$300 per player? How many players were they? If it’s 18, FAZ spent under $600 in allowances. We know that the Chileans paid for air tickets and FAZ probably got an appearance fee of no less than $50,000.

Justice Kafusha on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 4:48 PM 



@Big Steve, maybe I am being hard on our players but I think they need a kick in the bottom. Our players like money too much even when they do not win they think money is automatically given to them. People like Kalu played for Zambia and got almost nothing, they even paid there own tickets just to come play for Zed, money that has never been refunded up to now. For me brother it pains that some players are putting money first, this can not be, of course our players need to be paid but that payment will come in accordance with their perfomance. We all need money but we have to deserve that. I like your postings as many as more others trust me. The way I see things we may not even qualify for AFCON, but pali AFCON I will travell to Zambia and comfront ba FAZ and the players. Takwaba fye mwe

Positive thinking ..aka Awe on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 5:02 PM 



@Justice.
I hear where you are coming from, abena Kalu when they were playing used to play for almost nothing. Times have changed, and one doesn’t have to look very far to see former players who have nothing to call their own..look at Fred Mwila who played at the highest level in England, but has nothing today. Also consider in Kalus time football was not at the financial levels it is now (I think its a bad thing since clubs are getting bankrupt because of it). FAZ has a responsibility to the players, and if people are afraid to lose because they won’t eat..then we are using the wrong kind of motivation. Patriotism should be seen at all levels of hierarchy… I can’t ask those below me to make sacrifices while I am not doing the same.. and so it goes for FAZ, Eric Mwanza and Kalu are in SA right now…are they not recieving a dialy allowance?? So why would a player who actually wears the jersey and is on the pitch not entitled to the same… and more for simply being on the field. We are going backwards with this $300 payment

Positive thinking ..aka Awe on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 5:08 PM 



I also think Stephen Keshi has proven himself a good coach at National level. If we can afford him, I think he should be the first choice. I wonder though, did we not go through some drama about the executive commitee being in charge of searching for the coach??? Last time it was made clear by Munaile that Kalu cannot search for a coach, because that responsibility rests with the Executive commitee.

logic on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 5:13 PM 



In light of the comments that have been aired out here regarding remuneration, I think the issue of wages should be discussed prior to kicking the ball so everyone knows what to expect. If prior to any engagement FAZ tells the players how much they will get for a win or loss, no one will cry foul after they get paid cause they agreed to the figure. I know that some players on the squad don’t need that $300 but the principal of the whole thing is that FAZ has to treat these people for the professionals that they are instead of treating them like children. I have always advocated for the creation of a player’s union cause it would easily handle things like this. $300 is not a sum we can be paying our players at this level period.

Positive thinking ..aka Awe on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 7:33 PM 



@Logic… your name says it all my brother

Desire on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 7:47 PM 



@ Justice i back you madala, thats a good one to kick start the forum. Its logical ,why demand 600 grand with a 3-0 on your backs… get over it $300 is enough for them plus bambi tabalaupa nokupa.

Matafwali on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 8:06 PM 



@Logic
Thanks for your view on this matter. I really do not understand why we are going backwards on this issue. We heard the FAZ officials sometime be fore AFCON say that they did not budget for losses which is nonsense. As you state, the renumeration should be known even before the players are invited and FAZ should follow those guidelines.

@ROK
FAZ will do themselves a world of favors if they can spell out exactly what they are looking for in a coach. That said, I do not see too many people questioning their choice of a coach if they follow their laid down criteria. Otherwise, I couldn’t state any clearer than you have.

Congratulations to Christopher Katongo on the football project in Ndola. Hopefully, more players will emulate him in various communities around the country. This can only bode well for the future of our game.

Desire on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 8:10 PM 



@Logic where ever you are my bro. either Euro/US don’t forget our economy my dear I’m sure FAZ paid them the mentioned amount in line with our zambian economy. More over we have more outings to come in a few months to come so you don’t expect them to give them huge bonuses. Ask many zambian players who are playing in our beloved local league, how much they are getting as a wining bonus you would shed tears. I know for most of us overseas this amount looks too small, but lets reflect back home guys. I stand to be corrected

Seen from afar on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 8:37 PM 



Big Steve, you are right. I’m not sure i would trust FAZ to be transparent in spreading/investing new money(budget), so maybe not. I say let’s offer a reasonable wage for him and us, because if you pay gold you will attract gold diggers. I say again, good coaches will come if we are offering real opportunity work on something – regardless of the salary!

It’s not about money for some of them, speak to them and find out what motivates them. Look at HR, we say that salary is low but HR could afford to buy a big house in the south of France and easily pay it off in the two years, his wife could go shopping whilst i don’t think he had any expenses to pay whilst here. What was it 16 to 20 thousand a month, now he’s in Angola maybe he’s moving to Monte Carlo, not bad at all.

There are good coaches in Europe who would jump at the chance just to get on the international scene. There are good coaches in Africa who are craving a “fair” chance at African titles after they have been screwed over by other countries. Ask Claude Le Roy himself, or Otto Pfister for example.

Justice, i here your point, i understand you are not really saying don’t pay them. I agree with the sentiment that they should take it on themselves. If we take Rainford and Mbola as examples for a second. These guys are young and thus far have been allowed contribute what they can (they can do no wrong in effect), but the time will come will come when they are going to be the main men like Chris has been for the last few years. It’s not the same and the better the young guys can take this role on – the better for us… Of course, pay our guys, have agreed before hand.

Logic on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 10:34 PM 



@Desire, I’m sure the you will agree with me that the world of football has evolved into an economy on it’s own over the years. With that I said, we have our players playing againts people who are getting renumerated well and as such the issue of money is the last thing on their mind when they are playing. We have players who can afford to play on patriotism alone and don’t need the money but that is just a handful of our players. Even in Zambia to day $300 is nothing, otherwise these guys would not be complaining about it. Our choices are tough: we are broke and yet we expect to achieve wonders. If our players are to compete against the best in the world, I’m afraid it’s going to take a little more than mere patiotism. Again going off of press reports FAZ made between at least $60,000 from this all expense paid trip, surely they could have afforded to spend a 3rd of that on the players. On a slightly different note, I’ll be in Zambia next week and plan on being at Sunset stadium on the 19th and 26th and I think it would be great to meet up with some of you Football enthusiasts out there.

Desire on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 10:55 PM 



@ Logic
Bro you have summed up everything..
Anyway lets not crucify Justice of this wage thing, I’m sure he didn’t mean all he said
he was just releasing the burning passion of every die hard Zambian fan.
Hey Logic man, ill be traveling to Zed in the course of coming weeks. Hope to see you pa Sun rise oh ! Sunset

Seasoned Soccer Fan-USA on Thu, 10th Jun 2010 3:52 AM 



@Every blogger, We all want the national team to perform according and also discover talent. HR had a good eye for Talent and he was not afraid to play Mbola.

All I want to see is a coach who has a good track record but also affordable. All the high profile coaches application, has FAZ flushed everything under the drain? I think using the list to head hunt will would have been more transparent.

Congrats to Kalu- his eye on the ball reaches across Africa and beyond. Receiving 300 dollars just a friendly is better than nothing at all. The players were well fed, slept comfortably in hotels,plus air tickets, all these are part of incentives.

chiti chitundu on Thu, 10th Jun 2010 9:14 AM 



i think if we want an expatriate lets look at france or belgium
isnt msiska an expatriate what is the meaning of expatriate. Being white? No

Zed # 1 on Thu, 10th Jun 2010 9:39 AM 



My thoughts; Gavin is ok but why cant we go for someone who has national team experience like bruno metsu. I dont think we want to turn yet into a stepping stone as it was for HR. Ntawi ya ma experiments ina taa! With change it AFCON playing years will miss out a lot if we continue poping up the lwandamina/CHAN classics. I go for experience even $50pin can be afforded, Kalu are managers they need to think of how to make it happen. Language ya it cant ifelile kale…
And about paying the players $300 I think its rediculous, these guys are professionals not some village chaps. Thats why Sinkala always had problems with FAZ & believe you me this is going to get worse with people like mayuka, fwayo & william becausing they will know there value & how well their to be appreciated. Remember money is motivation, appreciation & recognition; Football is a business. Come on this is the 21st century! The guys deserve more…

Zed # 1 on Thu, 10th Jun 2010 9:41 AM 



My thoughts; Gavin is ok but why cant we go for someone who has national team experience like bruno metsu. I dont think we want to turn yet into a stepping stone as it was for HR. Ntawi ya ma experiments ina taa! With change it AFCON playing years will miss out a lot if we continue poping up the lwandamina/CHAN classics. I go for experience even $50pin can be afforded, Kalu are managers they need to think of how to make it happen. Language ya it cant ifelile kale…
And about paying the players $300 I think its rediculous, these guys are professionals not some village chaps. Thats why Sinkala always had problems with FAZ & believe you me this is going to get worse with people like mayuka, fwayo & william becausing they will know there value & how well their to be appreciated. Remember money is motivation, appreciation & recognition; Football is a business. Come on this is the 21st century! The guys deserve more…..

Big Steve from SA on Thu, 10th Jun 2010 9:48 AM 



@ chiti chitundu I dont think we should be looking for specific nationalities or race. There also exist very bad coaches in France and Belgium. Being french does not make you a good coach. We should look at the C.V. If the coach is good his C.V will scream this out to us whether the guy is black, white, Indian, Russian or comes from Tonga island. Its the C.V that should speak to us, what has he done/ achieved with whom. Our focus point should be past achievements and experience.

Mubs on Thu, 10th Jun 2010 6:32 PM 



Why Gavin? This is wat my brother Simata is trying to discourage. Head hunting? Not this time Kalu!

jg on Sat, 12th Jun 2010 9:00 AM 



@justice kafusha man i totally agree wth u, besides how much did they expect to b paid for a friendly ? it was not even a home ground match, this match required faz to over spend on travellig and accomodation yet the players still want to suck more from faz , let alone losing the game, but clearly thats a friendly and we dnt need to pay them the world, supposing they win the AFCON how much wll they demand ? our players should learn to keep there heards down, thats the only way out to improve soccer in zambia !!