July 26, 2010
The latest saga involving Chipolopolo wingback Emmanuel Mbola should not take anyone by surprise. Instead, it should be considered as part of the symptoms of a decaying Football Association of Zambia under the leadership of Kalusha Bwalya.
It’s difficult to identify which club Mbola belongs to. His move to TP Mazembe was a suicide grenade in waiting, and it still remains as such, if the case with Pyunik Yerevan of Armenia currently at FIFA is not resolved.
Before the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola, Mbola was a Pyunik Yerevan player based in Armenia having been transferred from Mining Rangers in Kitwe.
Immediately after the tournament, confusion over where the player belongs surfaced with Mining Rangers director Elijah Chileshe popularly known as Shenko claiming the players’ stay at Yerevan was improper.
He was supported by FAZ. And the local football motherbody helped Mining Rangers report the matter to FIFA claiming he was forced to sign a professional contract as an under age. Who has forgotten that Shenko travelled to Armenia with the player’s father Peter Pengwe Mwewa to sign that contract? Mr Mwewa was brought from Mansa to get his first passport for that particular trip.
And while the case between Mining Rangers and Yerevan is still active at FIFA, the player moves to TP Mazembe and cash swaps hands.
Chileshe, the complainant to FIFA in Mbola’s transfer to Yerevan, receives US $200, 000, as compensation from TP Mazembe. It is the second time Chileshe was getting compensation for Mbola after receiving an amount from Armenia in 2007.
TP Mazembe paid an additional US $100, 000 to Mbola’s father split in half as signing-on fee since the player is supposedly a minor and ineligible to the total professional package.
In all this, FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya is aware. At least that’s according to TP Mazembe director Moise Katumbi. His revelations about this deal are damning and if Kalusha is not careful, he is self courting disaster.
Yet, on Wednesday the FAZ ‘enterprising’ mouthpiece in Erick Mwanza claims the body is not aware and has no hand whatsoever in the case of Mining Rangers and TP Mazembe. Is it? No.
Mwanza further explains that FAZ issued the International Transfer Certificate to Yerevan and the document is held by the Armenia Football Federation. Mwanza’s explanation simply means Mbola is a Yerevan player. The TP Mazembe deal in null and void under the status quo until the Congolese giants engage Yerevan. If this has been the case since 2007 and remained so when Mbola was transacted for US$300, 000 to TP Mazembe – a deal Kalusha is very much aware of – how did it happen?
Erick claims FAZ had no hand in Mbola’s transfer to TP Mazembe but Katumbi has insisted that ‘the chairman of the federation in Zambia is aware.’ In other words, Kalusha knew about Mbola’s move to TP Mazembe at which time there was a disciplinary case at FIFA. Kalusha knew where the ITC was held. Why didn’t he advise both Mining Rangers and TP Mazembe? Could he be the ‘big fish’ in FAZ? I challenge Kalusha to come out open and publicly declare his role in this transfer.
There is no need to bit about the bush because many in this game know what he is doing and the extent to which he is linked to most of these transfers.
That is why Sinazongwe (UPND) member of parliament Raphael Muyanda said in parliament last week on Friday:
“FAZ has disgraced this country and the responsible ministry has failed to address the issues in the association. Government must put in place a peaceful way of ensuring that the FAZ executive resigns.”
Muyanda reportedly told the House that the current FAZ administration lacks a professional way of administering soccer.
Undoubtedly, Muyanda was spot on. It’s actually pleasing to learn that some parliamentarians have taken keen interest in this game which gobbles billions of kwacha.
It is a mistake to think all of them least care. The FAZ executive committee or probably the National Sports Council of Zambia are not different from that Uruguayan threesome led by Jorge Larrionda that conveniently did not see the ball cross the line in that Germany versus England FIFA World Cup second round match when the rest of the World had seen it did.
Except for FAZ executive members and a few disgruntled individuals, the rest of the country can see, including those in parliament, that this administration is a total disgrace.
It’s impressive that men like Muyanda would stand out, on behalf of the millions that follow the game, to highlight the awful levels of football administration.
The Mbola saga is one of the many cases that justifies Muyanda’s fears – the lack of professionalism – which must be rectified before it detoriates to alarming and irreparable levels.
The Nigerian Football Federation after the country’s Republican President Goodluck Jonathan sneezed in the football direction has shown it can be done. Sani Lulu, president of the Nigeria FF, is no longer there after a disgraceful World Cup outing.
If concerns being raise by citizens are not taken care of, there will be nothing left to talk about Zambian football in the immediate present or the damage will be highly costly to repair. Mbola and Rainford Kalaba have been sidelined because of botched player transfer deals blessed by FAZ, never mind the ‘enterprising’ noise from Erick.
If you look at the pattern of most of these player transfers, they are more or less the same in form, though, arriving at different times. Given Singuluma (Zanaco, Haka FC and TP Mazembe), Stophilla Sunzu (Zanaco and TP Mazembe), Emmanuel Mayuka (Kabwe Warriors to Maccabi Tel Aviv), Fwayo Tembo (Edusport to Etoile du Sahel) and Collins Mbesuma (Roan United to Kaizer Chiefs) transfers are linked to Kalusha having some good knowledge about them. They have all been seriously disputed.
Mbola’s case is just the latest debacle. The quicker those handling him move to rectify it the better. Otherwise, it has damaging repercussion to the game. It actually exposes Chileshe as a shameless chancer.
Chileshe at some point pretended to have an objective mind but his marriage with the FAZ executive committee has exposed his true character.
It has never surprised me to hear Chileshe come in full swing issuing some of the most senseless statements in favour of FAZ even where he is supposed to keep quiet, he wants to be heard misfiring.
That’s because they promised him, albeit in their dishonest fashion, to take Mbola to the best clubs while assuring him of a good cut. Unfortunately, these player sales are backfiring. Instead of maturely and professionally dealing with the confusion Chileshe created for himself, he almost chose to blow atop. Taking Mbola back to Congo has not solved the problem.
Mbola’s transfer problem which has led to his inactivity from competitive action since the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola affects the country as well. Critically look at it: Mbola and Kalaba are some of the best properties in Zambia’s present starting 11. A month away to the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, these two players have been out of competitive action for half a year all because of a few selfish individuals. And that’s at the expense of the country and her quest for football glory.
Whether we like it or not, Mbola and Kalaba will not be at their best for the up coming international fixture. Their fitness levels is not the same as it would have been if they were on a normal club programme. That’s the bigger picture of these shameful transfers that FAZ is condoning and participating in. Who will believe they mean good for Zambian football when they are the same people decimating the game on the other side. We need to bring these disgraceful scenes in our football to an end. It was Mbesuma, Mayuka, Sunguluma, Stopilla and now Mbola and Kalaba. Why should any transfer raise so much dust?
Any player that emerges with the potential of clinching a big deal, the man jumps on it. Shame on you. It was wrong for Shenko to receive the money from TP Mazembe because the matter was under investigation at FIFA. Who tells Shenko FIFA will rule in favour of Mining Rangers instead of Yerevan ?
If anything, looking at the merits of both arguments at FIFA, Yerevan has a stronger case than Mining Rangers.
The involvement of this FAZ official swayed Mining Rangers in turning against Yerevan for a Tottenham deal complicated Mbola’s career. Yerevan questioned Tottenham because they had an offer from Birmingham United. That’s how Mbola was literally chased away from the UK because of the confusion that erupted. Two player agents – one for the Yerevan-Birmigham deal and another for Mining Rangers-Tottenham deal – emerged in England and the inviting team was shocked.
Mbola was asked to return and sort out the problem. Before the matter is sorted out, the confusion came in a new form this time with TP Mazembe. Like I have indicated earlier, Mbola should not have been taken to TP Mazmebe. But knowing the slippery way Mbola’s new handlers deal with player transfers, they ferried him across Kasumbalesa boarder post.
Their interest was to benefit by shunting Mbola in Katanga temporary. Now that they think the dust has settled, they can easily sway him out of Lubumbashi . Those that have followed these transfers understand this pattern very well. After Mbola has returned to Lubumbashi, they now wanted to use the Under 23 as a scapegoat. After the tournament in Egypt, Mbola will be sneaked to Europe. Watch this space.
Some of these FAZ executive committee members selling players are turning TP Mazembe in what they almost did to Zanaco. Zanaco, at some point, virtually became their temporary base where players would be loaned. And when a foreign deal mushrooms, they will sneak the player out of Sunset Stadium without regard for the club and off their product will be at this or that club.
That is their greatest pre-occupation – selling players and not developing or managing Zambian football. The international media is now identifying Zambia synonymous to illegal player deals, thanks to Kalusha and his crew.
Aside from player deals, the general management of the game is pathetic to say the least. FAZ vice president Emmanuel Munaile is even failing to properly articulate provisions of both the body’s and its referees affiliate constitutions.
I wonder what he is doing in parliament where he is supposed to be a lawmaker for the nation’s supreme document. Anyway, I forgot he seats in Manda Hill by default. That’s why he also had difficulties understanding the problems in the Mayuka transfer.
He even had the audacity to tell the referees, with or without them, the games will go on. Did the games go on without them? No.
The news about Zambian football the last one month or so I sought refugee in the ambience of the World Cup in South Africa has been more depressing but as Muyanda puts it, its overall disgraceful.
With some 40 days before Zambia hosts Comoros in Group C of the Africa Cup of Nations, the country is still waiting for the newly acquired coach in Italian Dario Bonetti to get down to work.
The meeting to confirm Bonetti was, of all places, first held at Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg the Sunday before the World Cup final as if there are no boardrooms in Zambia .
Meantime, the Under 20 camping started with some disorganised arrangements which forced them out of camp due to logistical problems as a result of incapacity at the secretariat. Zambia can surely do better than leaving the situation decompose beyond these levels.
It’s my prayer that the Under 20 boys taking on Mauritius this afternoon will give us a break and good smiles from this hullabaloo created by Football House as we throng Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka this afternoon. I wish coach Keagan Mumba, the technical bench and the team the best of luck hoping they will soon consider inviting Charles Musonda’s sons to the Under 20.
Please help answer Bruce Musole Chinyama’s questions which he poses in an email as: Finally, can you advise me why we still allow Kalusha to be staying in South Africa when he is the president of FAZ? How he affords to announce to South Africans who the next coach is and yet Zambians are still in the shadow?
30 Comments on "Blog: A decaying FAZ"
| COPYRIGHT © 2007-2011 Zamfoot Sports Agency. All rights reserved. |
Jungle on Tue, 27th Jul 2010 11:09 AM
Let ba Kalu come out in the open and clear the air!! we’re tired of this.
Vincent Numbwa on Tue, 27th Jul 2010 1:54 PM
Augustine Mukoka you have researched a lot of unfounded stories on an Individual instead of the game dont bring Zamfoot in your battle with Kalu. Why are we Zambians so petty, Kalu’s Job as FAZ president is not a full time job there is no problem with Kalu staying in SA all he needs is to be available when needed as FAZ president in the country and he has managed that thus far. SA is just a couple of hours away from Zed when it takes more 12 hours to travel in between certain places within Zambia. Let us talk soccer not politics, people like Augustine are filled with petty jealousy for Great Kalu, he has worked for what he is today the best we can do let him enjoy his life there is no evidence that his stay in SA is making him absert for FAZ work.
Brave Rangers for Life on Tue, 27th Jul 2010 2:08 PM
Hard article from Mukoka the slapped journalist, yah its better Great Kalu to come out and do some public relations on this organisation called FAZ. This i doubt so much Great Kalu will keep quiet as usual and pretend everything is alright and as long his side of the bread is well buttered no need to have sleepless nights. Well Ba Great Kalu if at all you read these articles you better do something otherwise your name and those that surround you at FAZ is spoilt, but knowing you as we all know, you wont do anything. The only thing you would do if Mukoka was near you is to slap him and forget about it
Chipungu Mwelwa on Tue, 27th Jul 2010 2:27 PM
@Vincent, as much as we appreciate what Kalu did as a player, he has massively failed to manage Zambian football as an ‘administrator’. He was busy in SA while our referees were on strike here. If you watch our local premier league, you’l note that we only have 3 officials per game (1 referee and 2 assistant referees), no fourth official, no match commissioner, the 1st assistant is the one who is also in charge of making substitutes. These are some of the few things that need addressing in FAZ and Zambian football. Talk of the Kalaba issue, yes a lot of people have gone on to complain and talk ill about Kalaba, i have personally talked to Kalaba and its just a matter of time before he speaks out , some FAZ executive member decided to chew a big chunk of money from Zamalek than the player and this was not told to the player before he signed and i can even let you know that it is almost impossible that Kalaba will ever play for the national team while this Kalu led executive is in office. We appreciate wat Kalu has done as a player but as an ‘administrator’, nothing to talk about, i can’t wait for next year’s FAZ elections
Georgia Russia on Tue, 27th Jul 2010 2:54 PM
@Chipungu Mwelwa
eish soccer politics in zed,when will they end,,coming to our players dont they get to understand contract regulations,,who is kalaba blaming for his mess, i personally think the player himself has the right to say or no to a contract thats not making sense,,but why say no after you have signed a contract with zamlek and you later say i was forced,its the same with mbola,the young lad was escorted to pyunik by his father mr mbola,a year down the line he comes out with claims that hes was forced to sign that contract, with the same father he goes to sign for tp mazembe,, a few months after he comes out with claims that he does not belong to tp mazembe nor does he belong to pyunik.
we dont know who the big fish is at the moment,tho auga has gone a step ahead by pointing at kalu,i am made to belive that moses katumbi knows who the the big fish is,can he come out in the open just as he did when he was made to answer to corruption scandals in zed tell us who this faz official is..
can some one tell me the role of national sports council of zambia..why are they so quite
ba zambia on Tue, 27th Jul 2010 3:04 PM
This PETTY SLAPPED POST REPORTER what is he doing on our neutral soccer blog. on zamfoot we discuss football and not Kalu. lets stop this petty nonsense. Ba Zamfoot please for the love of the game delete this blog, we dont want people who are prejudiced to spoil our blog
Goddy on Tue, 27th Jul 2010 4:34 PM
Good article. I don’t understand why people are attacking the author and even calling for its removal.
ba zambia on Tue, 27th Jul 2010 4:50 PM
the author was too perosanl
emmanel on Tue, 27th Jul 2010 5:10 PM
augustine mukonka at it again.stupi..boy
ROK on Tue, 27th Jul 2010 5:38 PM
I just wish to caution those rubbishing Augustine’s article to be a bit careful. One day the administration at FAZ will change and it is not possible for those at Football House to go with all the records. Having read the FiFA statutes – Regulations on the status and Transfer of Players a number of times now, it does not make sense to me that Mbola can be signed by TP Mazembe without either FAZ or the Armenian Football Association having issued an ITC. Both FAZ and the Armenian Football Association have denied having issued the ITC. Simple logic rules out the possibility of the Armenian football authority having issued out the ITC as Mining Rangers have actually lodged in a complaint against them. Mining Rangers is not in the business of issuing ITC’s. TP Mazembe could not have registered Mbola for their AFCON club championship campaign without a valid ITC. SOMEONE SOMEWHERE HAS ISSUED AN ITC WHICH TP MAZEMBE HAS USED TO REGISTER MBOLA. So let us not be quick to start calling each other names because the truth about this will emerge one of these days.
Jojo on Tue, 27th Jul 2010 7:01 PM
Do people still pay attention to what this gentleman writes?
Jojo on Tue, 27th Jul 2010 7:06 PM
@vincent numbwa
Well said..
Jojo on Tue, 27th Jul 2010 7:55 PM
1..Kalu beat up a post journalist..
2..During the afcon herve renard almost beat up a post journalist..
3..Rainford kalaba promised to ‘sort out’ a post journalist.
Whether this is just a coincidence i do not know but why is it that such things only happen to journalists from the post..
Matafwali on Wed, 28th Jul 2010 5:19 AM
I know there’s been a lot of beef between Kalusha and Mukoka, but I would not be so quick to dismiss this article. There have just been way too many little issues here and there with this administration. We may disagree with some points like Kalu not necessarily needing to live in Zambia full time, but when issues are rising left and right, then Kalu’s absence just becomes magnified. Clearly something is wrong at Football House. Whether Kalu is directly responsible for the wrong remains to be seen, but as the head of the organization, the buck stops with him.
Seasoned Soccer Fan USA on Wed, 28th Jul 2010 6:42 AM
Mukonka is full of vengeance. The more you decampaign Kalu azakuyasha mbama ikali.
In as much as Mukonka amd Kalu are at logger heads with this kind of malicious reporing, there is need to be professional. Kalu is not only guy in FAZ. Kalu was dully elected as FAZ boss and he is on CAF and FIFA commitees.
Munkonka if you want to be President of FAZ you can run against Kalu. Anything coming from the post journalist is malice with truth mingled with personal vengeance and lies or unfounded truths.
Chali cool on Wed, 28th Jul 2010 7:37 AM
Kalu attempts to suspend Simwanza over Mbola
By Augustine Mukoka
Wed 28 July 2010, 04:02 CAT [0 Reads, 0 Comment(s)] Text size Print
FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya on Sunday attempted to suspend committee member Pivoty Simwanza in relation to Chipolopolo defender Emmanuel Mbola’s transfer saga.
During a caucus meeting, Bwalya demanded that the executive committee members pass a resolution to suspend Simwanza.
FAZ vice-president Emmanuel Munaile, committee members Marcha Chilemena and Simwanza were not present at the meeting.
Sources said Bwalya suggested that Simwanza be suspended for bringing the name of the game into disrepute.
“Most of the members advised the president not to take that route. Moreover, Pivoty was not present in the meeting. How can you suspend someone you have not talked to?” the source wondered. “The president was advised against making a similar mistake the executive made to suspend Simataa Simataa. The executive was embarrassed when that decision was overturned.”
Football House sources said Bwalya was further advised to take FAZ Division One North side Mining Rangers to task for bringing the game into disrepute in Mbola’s transfer.
“It is clear that Mbola belongs to Pyunik Yerevan and Mining Rangers are the one that have brought the game into disrepute by going ahead to sell the player to TP Mazembe, not Pivoty,” the source explained.
When contacted, FAZ communications officer Erick Mwanza said he was not aware about the meeting held on Sunday while efforts to get Simwanza were unsuccessful as his phone went unanswered…
The above article seems to suggest that Simwanza is the FAZ official behind the Mbola saga hence Kalusha’s desire to see him suspended as aledged by the post. However, what is interesting is that the post have neglected to state in detail the role that Simwanza played in Mbola’s transfer that has made Kalusha to want to suspend him and instead, they decide to magnify Kalusha’s desire to Suspend Simwanza. This is the reason most people don’t take Mokoka and team serious because they are not objective. Anyway, let us wait and see as this story takes a new twist.
Brave Rangers for Life on Wed, 28th Jul 2010 7:56 AM
@Chali Cool we cannot conclude as you are trying to allude to that Simwanza was the “Big Fish” in the Mbola case. We do not even know why Great Kalu wanted to suspend him, the story on Simwanza just says for being involved in the Mbola case? If Simwanza is the biggest culprit in this case why should other FAZ members discourage Great Kalu from suspending him. Simwanza is a small fish in FAZ and if he is the one who got involved in Mbola’s case FAZ would act swiftly. FAZ is full of secrets thats why it is difficult to put one and one together to make a good conclussion on things. Bottom line is that the President himself has lamantably failed to lead that sinking ship called FAZ. FAZ would have come out to suspend Simwanza when that story came out in the first place and not act now when people have talked and talked coming up with all sorts of conclussions. Question is why did other committe members stop Kalu from striking the whip on Simwanza?
Chali cool on Wed, 28th Jul 2010 8:19 AM
@ Brave Rangers for Life, my point is that why has Mukoka neglected to inform us in detail about the alledged dealings that Simwanza is accused of? Why should Kalusha accuse Simwanza of bringing the name of the game into disrepute for his involvement in the Mbola saga? These are legitimate questions which require honest answers. I am not at all trying to accuse Simwanza of being “the big fish”. However, by implication the above pasted article is doing just that and that is why I am interested in knowing why Kalu should want to suspend Simwanza. There is surely more to this than meets the eye. Personally, I want all involved in this saga to be brought to book whether Kalusha, Simwanza or whoever it is because what they are doing with the young man’s talent is just the same as practicing witchcraft.
Brave Rangers for Life on Wed, 28th Jul 2010 9:27 AM
@ Chali Cool i think the onus is on FAZ to come out in the open and tell the nation what actualy happened in the Mbola case. The lack of engagement of its stake holders on important issues by FAZ gives room to overzealous journalists like Mukoka to write things which are not even true at times, why because FAZ is not being managed professionally. FAZ has not come out in the open thats why people are coming up with all sorts of different versions to this Mbola saga, i for one would not blame Mukoka in this case for not coming up with a complete story because the source of that story which is FAZ is embroided in secrets due to clandestine dealings that are happening in the organisation. Questions still beg to be answered why did the executive members stop Kalu from suspending Simwanza, is that reason of the repeat of Simataa Simataa’s case enough, nah i think there is more to it.
Bro Sim on Wed, 28th Jul 2010 9:46 AM
The post writers are behaving like a political party, too personal. And surely we don’t need that, on this site please Mr. Muko whatever find another media of getting back to kalu for the slap.
If u want to tell us something here, please give us both sides of the coin, not just one side which favors your hapitite to fight those in authority at all cost.
ROK on Wed, 28th Jul 2010 10:40 AM
Chali Cool and Brave Rangers for Life you have both brought up very pertinent issues and questions on this. I want to agree with the former that it is incumbent upon FAZ to furnish the public with all the facts of the case so that the public does not speculate. It is not enough just to say FAZ is not involved-we need to be furnished with more and accurate details. Without this, i cannot blame anyone for taking one of the two sides.
But one suprising thing is that if Pivoty is in the wrong, it should be the entire FAZ executive to take action against him and not one isolated executive member. In a situation where only the FAZ President is displaying keen interest to take action against Pivoty whilst the rest are against that move, it creates a lot of room for speculation. It is a pity that whilst South Africa is in the process of sending more players (Mphela and one other striker) to Europe smoothly, for us every player transfer is associated with a lot of uncertainties and dark corner deals. I am trying to personally speak to Pivoty so that he can shade more light.
BuzzEd on Wed, 28th Jul 2010 1:15 PM
This article is like eating groundnuts mixed with rotten ones and I like my groundnuts especially well sorted and nicely fried. While the article contains some interesting information that generate a good discussion, the piece is fouled by an egotistical and self engrossed journalist who has an off the charts obsession with Kalu. Sorry, but that is how it comes off and it actually makes reading useless because the author makes the judgments and conclusions about the subject matter that at the end it becomes boring and disgusting buying into his opinionated mind. You know what they say about opinions, they are like the stuff that makes the grass grow green and everybody has one. So in future, Augustine Mukoka, I would like to read more of your articles because I think there is an intelligent writer behind all these emotions that are clouding your judgment. But fires, when you write, don’t take away the part where the reader follows your argument and makes their own judgments and conclusions. By the way, the hallmark of great journalism are based on balanced and objective reporting meaning writing that is unbiased and less egotistical giving the reader the chance to explore with you as you prompt their inquisitive minds with your theories and premise. Second, always attempt to be thorough and to the point especially when using examples to further clarify or substantiate your argument. Unlike introducing topics without following through to make sure that you close the argument on the subjects you just introduced.
Finally, I think you should move passed your differences with Kalu because you evidently have some hard feelings against the man which is okay . The problem is that your ill feelings toward the man will encroach on your ability to broadly evaluate issues affecting Zambian football because you will be short sighted to only see and attribute all to Kalu. Unfortunately, from a spectator point of view, that might work against you and could tarnish your budding career as people will soon start to dismiss you as a disgruntled and vindictive journalist.
Chali cool on Wed, 28th Jul 2010 1:44 PM
@ Brave Rangers for Life, I agree with you that FAZ should come out in the open and give a decisive response to all these happenings. The problem of keeping quiet is that you give room to speculation and in the process, inocent people are victimised. It is important that we know the exact happenings in all this so that we are not misled by the media. On the other hand, I do not agree with you on the part were you remove the blame from Mukoka because as a professional journalist, Mukoka should have done his homework and present a well researched article not one which leaves us to crucify other people because we can only speculate. @ ROK, please get to Simwanza so that you can know exactly what transpired and give us feedback . All we are interested in is truth and not inuendos so that culprits can be made to account.
Brave Rangers for Life on Wed, 28th Jul 2010 2:18 PM
@Chali Cool thanks for that agreed Mukoka’s article can be judged to be impartial because he has a bone to chew with Great Kalu thats why as you have correctly put it a report which is not properly researched leaves a lot of unanswered questions. Lets wait and see what happens.
ROK on Wed, 28th Jul 2010 5:01 PM
Off the topic-Yesterday, the following story was published in the Post newspaper and after the story, i will provide a few comments on what actually transpired because the player involved was from my club till this month when i decided to sell him to Nakambala Leopards FC. This clarification is provided so that those of you who are following local soccer should be looking at issues in their proper perspective.
FAZ Division One (South) side Mazabuka United Football Club chairperson Evans Mushiba has questioned the deteriorating levels of the administration of the game in the country.
And FAZ life member Luxon Kazabu on Friday said the recent confusion surrounding player transfers was disturbing the players’ career progression.
In an interview, Mushiba accused FAZ of playing double standards.
He accused FAZ of favouring teams with the financial muscle in the league.
Mushiba cited the transfer of Ollen Chisalaba from Mazabuka United to Nakambala Leopards as a case of favouritism.
He said Chisalaba had been cleared to play for Nakambala without the consent of Mazabuka United.
“There is a weakness at FAZ that needs to be solved before things get worse because other teams will be disadvantaged especially those who don’t have enough money to corrupt FAZ officials.
“We wrote to FAZ to tell them about the move of the player Chisabala that Nakambala didn’t follow the procedure and we are not ready to recognise the player because he was on loan to Afritex and the contract runs up to December this year but it is unfortunate the player is cleared without our concern,” Mushiba complained.
But Nakambala Leopards secretary Obert Habasimbi said the player was cleared by FAZ after an agreement with Afritex.
“We are not aware whether Mazabuka United was informed or not but FAZ cleared the player to play for Nakambala Leopards after Afritex agreed to loan the player to Nakambala Leopards and the player has already played two games,“ he said
Meanwhile, Kazabu said poorly managed player transfers in the country were a source of concern.
Commenting on the controversy arising from Chipolopolo defender Emmanuel Mbola’s move from Mining Rangers to TP Mazembe, Kazabu wondered why there should be such problems when the movement of players was governed by statutes.
“There shouldn’t be problems because transfers are governed by rules and if problems arise it means somebody is side-stepping the rules. Otherwise, these are straightforward issues,” he said.
Mbola is the latest case of player disputes after joining TP Mazembe in March from Mining Rangers for a total of US $300,000 transfer.
At the time of moving to TP Mazembe, Mining Rangers had reported Armenian side Pyunik Yerevan – where Mbola spent a season – to FIFA for breach of contract and the matter has to date not been resolved.
Ollen Chisalaba has been playing for my club from the time i formed it in 2006. The club was in Lusaka Amateur League from which it was promoted to Lusaka Super Amateur League, FAZ Division III and then FAZ Division II. At the beginning of this year, i loaned the player to Mazabuka United FC for a period of one (1) year. The loan was tied to some terms and conditions but unfortunately, Mazabuka United abrogated these terms and conditions of the loan leaving me with no choice but to revoke the contract. Consequently, i entered into negotiations with Nakambala Leopards FC and after reaching agreement, i sold the player to Nakambala Leopards FC. On this particular transaction, i do not see any unfaireness on the part of FAZ as claimed by Mazabuka United Chairperson Evans Mushiba. FAZ does not come in player transfers involving two local clubs unless there is a dispute between the clubs as was the case between Brave Nchanga Rangers FC and Chambeshi FC last year.
ROK on Wed, 28th Jul 2010 5:15 PM
Notable former Might Mufulira Wanderers FC players (the list is by no means exhaustive)Samuel Ndhlovu
Kalusha Bwalya
Ashious Melu
Dickson Makwaza
Efford Chabala
Ackim Musenge
Charles Musonda
Evans Katebe
Frederick Kashimoto
Thomas Bwalya
Johnson Bwalya
Dick Chama
Bernard Chanda
Tolomeo Mwansa
Elijah Mwale
Abraham Nkole
Patrick Nkole George Sikazwe
Tshikala Mwanza
Philemon Kaunda
Philemon Mulala
Willie Mukwasa
Gibby Mbasela
Emmanuel Munaile Brines Mulenga
Uncle Bobs on Wed, 28th Jul 2010 6:24 PM
The issue here shouldn’t be about Kalu or Augustine but whether transfers are being handled in the right way chapwa. These young boys are dull also and should blame themselves. Kalaba has his future in his hands and neither Kalu nor Augustine will be there to fall back on. Let him continue waiting to be called by Braga or whatever club till Kingdom come. Kalu has nothing to lose as he has lived his time and will be soon out of FAZ. Let’s focus on what will give us sustainability and a self regulating system to fend of hyenas to the game mwebantu. Meanwhile ka support financially to our teams is what is needed and not just theoretical analyses of what this or that one has done as abaiche muma team yesu wont be feeding on that and ultimately we lose out through a lack of medal haul and disappointment after disappointment ending up being content with an AFCON 1/4 final berth after a 14 year lull!
Chali cool on Wed, 28th Jul 2010 6:56 PM
@ Uncle Bobs, don’t you think this isssue of Kalu this Kalu that should be dealt with once and for all by getting to the route of the rescent happenings? This will be for the betterment of everyone involved as people’s names will be cleared while culprits will be punished. There is no need for the media to continue beating about the bush when they can hit the nail on the head by professionally following up this issue. This is what investigative journalism is all about not giving us ill conceived opinions. Journalists have Katumbi’s numbers who they can call if they need more information on the same. I believe Kalusha and all those mentioned in this saga are all accessible so the journalists should do their job and inform the nation truthfully and objectively. Even Zamfooty, if they have verifiable information, its better that it is released in full for our consumption instead of using inuendos. This I believe is the best way possible otherwise inocent people will continue being injured while the real culprits are going scot free.
Wayaya on Thu, 29th Jul 2010 3:45 AM
These stories assist us to digest what is happening.Let us not support kalu and condemn the writer but digest all what is has happened at faz.Are they transparent,assisting the game to grow,open in the transfer issues and other concerns.The opinion of the writer is okey and it is his personal opinion and lets respect it for now.After people who criticize are better than one who remain silent cos they fancy having a an immensily disorganised faz.
Steven on Thu, 29th Jul 2010 6:43 PM
It is sad to see how many people are defending Kalu and this Administration. FAZ has failed to raise the standards of soccer in Zambia, that is all. We should be so far ahead, but as long as people can discredit a reporter who reveals the facts, we are going no where. Wake up people, you hav to separate Kalu the great player from Kalu the bad administrator.