FAZ president Andrew Kamanga has described his relationship with predecessor Kalusha Bwalya as “very bad.”
Kamanga said Kalu was a soccer icon who had achieved a lot as a player, coach and administrator who deserved to be the country’s ambassador.
Kamanga was speaking last night at the Southern Sun date organised by the Press Freedom Committee.
“Unfortunately, my relationship with my predecessor is very bad. You may wish you to know he called me a few days ago and he said some very bad things.”
“There is a gentleman called Godfrey Chikumbi who has made it his personal devotion to insult me. He has called me incompetent and inept and all that. I have tolerated him. But this time, he crossed the line. He talked about Kalu being invited by the UN for some match.”
“You see, we are proud when Kalu is invited for these things because it is good for the profile of this country. But this gentleman went ahead and said I was going for a BOKO HARAM match in Nigeria while Kalu was going to the UN.”
Kamanga explained that the link to the group that is causing terror in Nigeria was unacceptable and he had to defend himself.
The FAZ boss said he was invited to Nigeria for a youth tournament where the FIFA president Gianni Infantino had been invited and it shall be graced by the Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari.
Kamanga explained his texts after being riled by the link to the group famous for kidnapping girl children in Nigeria.
“He crossed the line and I told him via text to take that nonsense from me. He continued to write then I said, ‘Please take that Kalu nonsense from me or I shall deal with you firmly’.”
“Within minutes, Kalu called me and said some very bad things. Unfortunately, that is where we are. I have since asked my lawyers to look into the Chikumbi issue with police as well.”
Kamanga was answering a question from the floor after his address last night.
And Kamanga says the reduction of the FAZ congress was a FIFA directive to which Football House would comply.
He also disclosed that all FAZ members shall benefit from the $1.2 million Football House shall receive from FIFA.
“When I promised some people thought I was mad, I have the backing of the executive and this shall be implemented.”
He also revealed that despite lack of finances FAZ is determined to find the means to hire a new permanent Chipolopolo coach.
Kamanga also said that referees are being paid and that $100, 000 had been secured from sponsors for this exercise.
Kamanga also said an automated system of selling tickets for Chipolopolo shall be introduced to end the practice of unscrupulous individuals benefiting at the expense of FAZ.
He said as a a competent accountant he was shocked at how FAZ lost income from gate takings due to bad ticketing practices.
The FAZ supremo went further to affirm his commitment to ensure transparency by announcing gate taking.
Kamanga has also declared that the Chipolopolo shall be picked on merit.
Meanwhile, delegation leader to West Africa Blackwell Siwale has said he could not have put his own life at risk if there were security concerns when the Chipolopolo (and him as delegation leader) used a pontoon.
Siwale revealed that the team used the vessel to avoid missing the Gambia friendly after cancellation of a scheduled flight.
The FAZ executive committee member said the host countries provided maximum security when the team travelled.
And two other executive committee members Lee Kawanu and Dr. Mulenga attended the event alongside FAZ General Secretary Ponga Liwewe .
Lee Lee Kawanu distanced himself from allegations of impropriety over the Airtel Rising Stars programme when Gideon Kaumba asked from the floor for the Kafue Celtic boss to explain allegations levelled against him in the media.
“When you are in football, you need to develop a thick skin. All sorts of nonsense will be leveled against you. I was born in Russia and raised in Kafue. So I have a thick skin. I have personally sacrificed my own personal resources for these boys, how can I be linked to that nonsense?”
And earlier, Liwewe explained that the Airtel Rising Stars had run its course and correspondence from the mobile provider indicated that the sponsorship had come to an end as Airtel were refocusing its marketing strategies.
And Dr. Mulenga has described Kamanga as ‘a responsive man’ and pledged to work as a team.
Dr. Mulenga was asked by Kaumba why he had not resigned after reportedly declaring that he would never work with Andrew Kamanga in the event of both winning the election.
The meeting heard that the executive had risen above personal differences and was resolved to advance Zambian football development for the next four years.
[Ba Muzo]
It is time for you to deliver Kamanga and Kalu is no longer on the spotlight.If you fail to deliver then you will lose the next election.You failed as an administrator at Kabwe Warriors but you have been given a benefit of doubt to lead FAZ.
“Please take that Kalu nonsense from me or I shall deal with you firmly” Gideon Chikumbi & Kalusha Bwalya are two different people. But why Andrew Kamanga bring Kalu in his text conversation with Chikumbi. I am lost!!!!!!!!!
Because Kalu Cadre Gideon sent by Kalu was talking $hit to Kamanga. If Gideon is not being sent by useless Kalu, then why did he(Kalu) call Kamanga immediately to talk more trash after Kamanga had told Gideon take to Kalu’s nonsense elsewhere? Common sense tells me bitter Kalu and his corrupt f@cks are out to make Kamanga fail and the sooner he realizes that they are all bad seeds and needs removed from anywhere close to FAZ, the better. Kalu needs to go away, we don’t need him and his corruption. I pray the FBI looks at him when he gets to New York. He has cases to answer, but right now the FBI has a lot on their plate with all these terror attacks in Orlando, Fl.
It seems you know something that some of us soccer fans do not know. AK himself has mentioned that this Gideon guy has occasionally critised him on social media. Does it mean whoever criticises AK-led FAZ is now sent by Kalu? And now you talk about Kalu vs FBI. Educate us about your Kalu vs. FBI assertions as it makes interesting reading.
I seem not to agree with your common sense which tells you that “bitter Kalu and corrupt f@cks are out to make Kamanga fail” however there is empirical evidence that successful people which includes successful administrators/business executives have once and/or on several occasions failed. Fear to fail is the limiting factor to success. Most admirable autobiographies of successful people include how many times they failed: Warren Baffet; former GE business executive Jack Welch; MicroSoft founder Bill Gates; ICT wizard Steve Jobs; President Lincoln; Real Estate tycoon Donald Trump; soccer icon Pele; the world’s greatest boxer Mohammed Ali; freedom fighters Harry Nkumbula, Kenneth Kaunda and Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe etc.
Therefore, the best we can all do is support AK & his Admin. but we must not shy away from constructive criticism and start pointing at people around and/or outside his admin. that they want AK-led FAZ to fail. After all the major winner is Zambian Soccer.
Kamanga may have not been a footballer but he is likely to prove as the best FAZ president.
Make no mistake, I don’t hate Kalu, I hate his behavior, his hate, his arrogance, his “me attitude” which drove Charly Musonda away from Zambia. Kalu is crooked. Let him go away. With his connections, how many non relative Zambian players did take to Europe? West Africa stars are busy connecting youths to europe at no cost, but this greedy Kalu still wants to loot from Faz and Zambia. Just a few days ago a former Ghanaian player gave a great eulogy on Keshi. “Former Ghana international Mohammed Gargo says he is shocked by news that former Nigerian player and coach Stephen Keshi has passed away.
The man who has been credited with helping some Ghanaian players secure lucrative moves in Europe passed away in Nigeria in the early hours of Tuesday morning.” How many did self centered,greedy Kalu help? All he cares is his pocket, thats all.
Mr kamanga when kalu was a faz presdent you never give him peace you critise him day and night.you and mr simataa never even congrate him for 2012 afcon.at times you were even personalising issues which was not good for football but today you him to be friends with you no just leave him alone and go to simataa
I agree with you big man
How many times did kalu invited you mr kamanga to work with him?and did you accept? Kalu invited you to work with him so many times but you refuse and you expect him to agree working with you the answer is No,zambian football will not develop with administrates Like you mr kamanga you were planting the seeds of hatred with him and you are reaping what you planted
The Kalu boot kickers are impressive here in this forum. Like their “great” they continue to wallow in sour grapes!
@PM Gideon Chikumbi is kalus most loyal bootlicker and he has unleashed a great amount of hate speech on kamanga via social media
Ok I am learning something here. I did not know. Provide me details of the said social media so that I learn more: Facebook; soccerchat etc. Thank you
kamanga just deliver will not accept such things you gave kalu sleepless nights ukose.
First of all I think this is very childish at best. Kamanga needs to understand that he dethroned a man who perhaps is Zambia’s most beloved son and as such he will forever be held in contempt by certain sections of our society. This comes with the territory. The biggest mistake he can make its to try and define Zambian football without Kalusha, Kalu will always be part of the narrative and rightly so. Kamanga and company need to focus of working on their own legacy and taking us to the next level. He promised to bring in corporate partners and that is what we are interested in and not this childish text message nonsense we are being subjected to. This office is too bit for such pettiness. You went to a Boko Haram game, are you serious, is this even worth paying attention to Mr. President? At this point we can care less if Kalu goes to Mars, what were are interested in is you delivering. Winning cures all ills. Do your job and let us naysayers or critics swallow our words. I will repeat what I said before, there is very little to inspire from your first few months in office, please prove me wrong sir, I wand to be silenced by your good work. As for my man Kalu, please accept your loss and bow off the stage sir, the people spoke and let us learn to respect that.
Very wise words brother.
Ndiwe chikali!!!
Logic, you have said some very wise things. Kamanga should work on building his legacy and move on from his naysayers. I too hope he can silence his critics (to include myself)
Very wise indeed. Africa needs forward looking people like you, Logic. Keep the good analysis going. You deserve to be a member of the FA.
@ Logic …Well said bro!
The problem in Zambia is there is too much petty jealousies, quarrels, violence, grudges, etc at the expense of development. Thats why poverty, suffering and underdevelopment are friends with Zambia.
True that
Faz President Kamanga do on to others as you want them to do for you i reckon you’re feeling the pressure and heat of wrongfully making it personal on yours attacks on the GREAT KALU , with regards to the INKONGOLE loan would you in your own respect believe that kalu used the money for solo benefit for heaven sakes he did what any competent good leader would do go for plan C if plan A&B ain’t materializing bare in mind bills don’t go on hoilday so camping fees ,player match and training fees had to be paid moreover the lead Faz was not getting any funding from RB ‘s gov’t ,hence if for any reason there was any change from the LOAN im sure it was put to good use with regards to the national team ,how many poiliticans have payed back ZAMBIA from what they embezzled e.g Zamtrop account ,Chani fisheries and off shore accounts yet Kalu does it Zambia and yet you Kamanga and your team went for kalu’s neck ,to into words shame on you and your team the Chipolopolo players Senior ,under 23,20,17 need kalusha’s involment and guidance and pep talks than the Kamanga’s lead faz simple as that .I don’t wish any bad to you kamanga and new elect Faz but ego’s aside bring Kalusha to the table make peace and lets uplift our No#one sport Football may god bless Zambia.
we told about this Kamanga he is a failure who called kalu names.even kalu was being insulted by people but never heard him complaining of such useless things.
Kalu should not leave the USA without government bangle!
We want to know where the bribes from Qatar went to since he uses a national entity’s name in Faz. Not everyone is drinking the Kool Aid as most seem to have drunk Kalu’s koolaid. Kamanga needs to shut his mouth too and starts to show us results. F$ck!
Kamanga’s main focus now is to find a good Coach who can take over our National team. Engage Government and the Business people. Don’t be moved by petty issues like the one above.
Come on Mr. President they a lot of challenging issues facing our soccer than your personal battles with Kalu. Look at getting the U20’s AND U17’s ready for CAF games.
Get serious bwana
Kamanga should just concentrate on delivering what he promised the soccer fans that’s all.
You must develop a thick skin.Football management is not for the faint hearted.Kalu was insulted left ,right and center and yet soldiered on without being petty.In fact several times you disrupted his activities with your failed attempt to take over using RB.Well ,yes this time the Sports Minister helped you and you are in the seat,its time for you to bring those ideas of the replica jersey to raise funds to pay an expatriate coach to the fore,bring the much talked about corporate sponsorship.By the way Airtel will no longer continue sponsoring the Airtel youth tournament,maybe you can use your corporate muscle to convince them to continue.How many people are you going to sue?
Remember,your fitst achievement so far is our failure toqualify to the AFCON 2017 and travelling for friendlies using pontoons!We want to qualify to the World cup,period.Bola teya bana.
That is so childish. The world will laugh
Something is not adding up .What did Kalu spoke about when he called Kamanga ? Its like Kamanga was guilty of something and Kalu confronted him
Yo relationship with Kalu was never gud as far as i can remember, tell us somethin else boss iyo yaluka.
Is kalu a share holder in FAZ ? Kalu has no room in FAZ.Leave Kamanga alone.
Kalu is > kamanga. Guyz there is an under 20 player called chentu chadwa. That boy is a marvel to watch. I had a chat with him and he told me that if someone linked me to the under 20 national duty i will pay for my beloved country.
iyo yaluka zoona mr kamanga give us something else to comfort…. no chipoloplo at 2017 afcon pliz
Kamaga is useless together with Chicken…
Kalu is a great leader,he brought th 2012 trophy and no one can reach dat level
Kamanga and simata wanted to break away from faz so now you are in power and that obstacle is gone. ..let there be that separate entity you wanted to pioneer and see how it works
It’s not the secret that you and kalu don’t have good relationship in fact more people in Zambian football don’t have good relationship with you if it’s no this site how many are going to sue babwana?
This is just the beginning people will talk rubish on you
People will insult you
This is not your company it’s the company of the people ruled by you
So engaging lawyers at whose expense I hope it’s not faz becz there is no money
If it’s your expense you that money to add on the hiring of a foreign coach like that zim FA president is doing
Stop being childish we got U20 and WC in few weeks tell us development and not your reputation
I thought Charlie Jr will come now. Haaaaaaaa! You were just blaming Kalu. Zambia camped in SA for easy connection. You decided to go to West Africa and use pontoons
Ba Chamwe Kaira, we were camping in SA even in winter and yet we were going to play Sudan at 40 degrees Celsius, arriving a day before the match ! did you see how those Sudanese overran us ? If that is the price, i would rather be on a pontoon which I use at kazungula anyway. the fact is, we were better prepared than any other away assignment in West Africa than we have been in a long time.
So boys are using pontoon. Sounds like the same brew towards a Gabon disaster. Did Kamanga sanction that mode of transport? For what? This is serious people?
You go on a pontoon to play a friend and lose to minnows like Guinée Bissau who don’t even have a organised league like our matero madalas league,you shout loud ati leave our presido alone.a failure ati presido ma rubbish.
Kananga must put his house in order. Zambia drew crucial matches for the Afcon 2017 qualifiers in Kalusha’s tenure but the truth is that they did not fail to qualify during Kalusha’s tenure. The failure came in Kananga’s tenure.Inherit problems and fix them.You did not plan for the takeover hence Zambia failed qualify.
The whole FAZ president responding to a Facebook post by a soccer fan. Grow up Kamanga you surely did not expect to be friends with Kalu after all the confusion you caused our game up to the time you assumed football house office. I hope you are using your infin solution resources to your ligation over social media comment otherwise FIFA Auditors will make you account for our football funds.
Do the work,if Kalu insulted u,go to him and settle it.Telling us,u telling wrong pipo.They are pipo whom u will never work together,u shud accept and move forward.
Great kalu,he is out,still the clown blames him.do u.is th bar to high.raise yo own,thats wat legends do.
AK forget Kalu concentrate on getting us a proper coach
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm