Expert View: Chiyangi should be named coach of the year

As the MTN/FAZ Super League season comes to a close for the top four teams at least the focus will now shift to the end of season awards.

One of the awards being that of coach of the of the year which was won by Beston Chambeshi last year be it as questionable as the award was.

This year a number of names can be put forward including the current holder of the award, Chambeshi who has built a formidable Nkana side that finished second on the log and have gone on to play 20 games without succumbing to defeat.

Another one is Zesco United coach George Lwandamina who has managed to claim the league upon his return from Tanzania with the Ndola giants.

NAPSA Stars boss Muhammed Fathi is another. The Zambian born Egyptian tactician masterminded the pensioners survival after a shambolic start to the campaign.

However the clear favourite and deserving to scoop the award is Aggrey Chiyangi of Green Eagles. The former Zanaco coach has transformed the Choma based out-fit from a small club to a title chasing club.

Eagles survived relegation in 2017 on the final day thanks to a one nil win over Green Buffaloes on the final day. Spencer Sautu scored the only goal of the game.

A year later the same team under Chiyangi have made history by making it to the CAF confederation cup for the first time in their history a feet many could have not predicted at the start of the season.

The team from Choma at some point even went on a 17 game unbeaten run. The team also qualified for the Barclays Cup only for a second time in their history.

These are no small achievements especially looking at the quality of players he has to work with. Eagles being a military team they do not buy foreign players hence they have to make do with local talent.

The tricky part for them is that there is no team, especially the big clubs, that is willing to let go of their best local players . Another point is that the top class local players are more expensive than foreign players which makes it difficult, but despite all these challenges Eagles rose above board and made history.

Lwandamina did well to win the league, Chambeshi was amazing with Nkana and so was Fathi to guide NAPSA to safety.

Red Arrows caretaker coach Chisi Mbewe who is bound to sign a two year contract has been another great tactician this season.

Ever since Honor Janza was sidelined the team has gone on a 12 game unbeaten run earning almost the same points they did in their first 25 games under the former Chipolopolo boss.

It’s however clear Chiyangi’s achievements were better looking at where the team was coming from and the players they have.