The full list of nominees for the 2018 MTN/FAZ awards was revealed earlier today. Like any other awards event, A number of deserving players have been omitted.
The biggest snub is that of Zesco United coach George Lwandamina who despite guiding Zesco United to League triumph. The big question being asked is that how did Chisi Mbewe earn the spot ahead of Lwandamina.
The Airmen’s boss was incharge for only 13 games as Janza took charge of the first 25. His big achievement was going unbeaten in 12 of those 13 games and moving the team from 13th place to 9th place.
If that’s worth a nomination then what about Mohammed Fathi who helped NAPSA Stars survive relegation after he found them in the dreaded relegation zone. Fathi also went on a 10 game unbeaten and his numbers are almost identical to that of Chisi Mbewe, So the question is how special is Chisi?
Nkana’s Harrison Chisala is also not on the young player of the year nominee shortlist. In his place, Jackson Kakunta of Power dynamos has been nominated despite only coming to the party in the last five games of the season.
Joseph Phiri of Red Arrows is another player that had a good season better than some of those nominated for young player of the year.Phiri was Red Arrows top goalscorer with 6 goals and actually netted 8 goals but two were scrapped off following the abandonement of the Nkana vs Arrows game at Nkana Stadium.
Another young player who had quite a decent season is Lusaka dynamos’ Marvin Jere. Jere was a key player and instrumental in a lot of the games Lusaka dynamos won.
Another player missing is Zesco United striker Jesse Jackson Were who was influential in the team ya Ziko run to winning the league. The Kenyan talisman man scored 18 goals and was Zesco United’s top goalscorer.
Nkana striker Ronald Sate-Sate Kampamba has also been left out of the most disciplined player category despite being one of the most well behaved players in the league.
Something to note however is that the nominees where compiled from submissions made by team captains and coaches from the 20 Super League teams.
FAZ/MTN super league awards.
Full list of nominees:
Footballer of the year: Lazarous Kambole, Tapson Kaseba, Idris Mbombo.
Young player of the year: Wayne Museba (Kabwe Warriors), Jackson
Kakunta (Power Dynamos), Lameck Banda (Zesco United).
Most Disciplined: Collins Sikombe (Napsa Stars), Sebastaian Mwansa
(Nkwazi), Larry Bwalya (Power Dynamos)
Coach of the year: Beston Chambeshi (Nkana), Chisi Mbewe (Red Arrows),
Aggrey Chiyangi (Green Eagles).
Referee of the year: Gladys Lengwe, Derrick Kafuli, Audrick Nkole
Assistant referee of the year: Romeo Kasengele, Kabwe Chansa, Meck Zulu
Top scorer: Idris Mbombo (21 goals).
