Fans expressed their displeasure at the Chipolopolo’s poor string of results by subjecting the Football Association of Zambia, FAZ President Andrew Kamanga to boos on Saturday at National Heroes during the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Mauritania.
Five minutes after striker Fashion Sakala completed his hattrick and Zambia’s fourth goal to seal victory, Chipolopolo fans turned to the VVIP stand to show their frustrations at the Kamanga led FAZ administration.
Boos rained down from the stands directed to the VVIP section.
This was followed by ‘Kamanda ayende chants’ (Kamanga must go chants).
While the Chipolopolo Boys went about their business on the pitch in a professional manner, the boos and chants became the order of the last 20 minutes as fans made their feelings known.
“Look at the attacking talent on the pitch. We can’t be failing to beat small teams with such kind of players,” a fan told the ZamFoot Crew at Heroes Stadium.
“We are tired of watching small teams at the AFCON,” another fan added
The fans growing frustrations stems from Zambia’s failure to qualify for past three editions of the African Cup of Nations under the Kamanga led FAZ administrations.
In addition to Zambia’s failure to qualify for three successive Africans Cup of Nations, the team dropped unneccassary points in the race for Qatar 2022 World Cup, and that has infuriated many stakeholders including the demanding fans.
Prior to Kamanga taking over as FAZ President in March 2016, Zambia had only failed to qualify for AFCON once since 1990.
This came under the reign of the late Evaristo Kasunga in 2004, who cut short his term and resigned.
Despite Kamanga’s supposedly positive impact in terms of good governance and transparency at Football House, his critics argue that the same can’t be said about the impact on the football pitch.
To his allies, Kamanga should not be entirely blamed for Zambia’s misfortune during his tenure.
Many claim that there has been lack of depth in terms of players while others have put the blame on the coaches.
Since he took over, Kamanga is averaging almost a coach per year as he has been chopping and changing.
Local coaches like George Lwandamina, Aggrey Chiyangi, Wedson Nyirenda and Beston Chambeshi (twice) have been at the helm of the Copper Bullets.
Three expatriates have been hired by Kamanga but still success continue to elude the team.
Belgian coach Sven Vanderbroeck and the much travelled Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic had a go at the Chipolopolo job but no avail.
Currently Chambeshi is being assisted by a contingent led by Croatian coach Aljoša Asanović.
Zambia has made 17 AFCON appearances compared to Egypt and Ghana’s 24 and 22 appearances.
The other countries above Zambia are Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Cameroon and Tunisia who have 19 appearances. Nigeria has been to AFCON 18 times.
In terms of success, Zambia is ranked seventh on the continent boasting of 26 wins and 20 draws from 67 matches.
Zambia has reached three AFCON finals and won it in 2012.
For sure this is too much. Kamanga must go
Yes Kamanga mast go and live football for the footballs no just cozy you need to do yo things will as taxi pay’s watching no no-no
Am looking for Tc soccer man positive thinking big Steve from SA these where the die hard of kamanga see what is happening
All you who want Kananga do not know what you are talking about…The best of our players are playing out of the country under different managers, with different coaching ways in different climates with different training facilities in different leagues. Putting a team that gels well is a huge task with the calibre of coaches Zambia can afford. Our local players lack the basic IQ to think on the pitch. You can’t blame Kananga for that.
All you who dont want Kamanga do not know what you are talking about…The best of our players are playing out of the country under different managers, with different coaching ways in different climates with different training facilities in different leagues. Putting a team that gels well is a huge task with the calibre of coaches Zambia can afford. Our local players lack the basic IQ to think on the pitch. You can’t blame Kamanga for that. Teach these boys running attack football and you will get results. Slow build ups from the back demands football brains which they don’t have. Look at how Kampamba was failing to read Paton Daka’s runs…
Kamanga must just go we are tired of losing, failing and his endless list of excuses. Honestly, speaking there is not even a single reason to keep this guy as Faz president. Anyway, I put all the blame on those who voted for him and those you have the power to impeach him but haven’t done so. They’re all useless!