Trust the Process: Why Sven Must Stay

As a footballing nation we must be honest enough as we draw daggers and point arrows at Sven for sharing his honest thoughts about the present state of Zambian football. The Belgian has been under fire for Zambia’s failure to qualify for the AfCON and his comments in the aftermath haven’t helped matters.

The interactive session with members of the press over the weekend provided an opportunity to mend his relationship with the masses and equally share his thoughts for the future should he stay on.

For the period he has been in charge and with what has been said and done, highlighted here are some reasons why he should be afforded more time at the helm of Chipolopolo.

•Cognizant of the Problems: Knows what Must be done

He says it as it is. Some of what he has said has been hard to take but its the plain truth. His calls for managing expectations are genuine considering we have been thin on quality in the selection pool.

Further,the call for change in mindset among players has a good basis as shown by some tame displays in the last two qualifiers.

•Knows how to Sort the Problems

Its is one thing acknowledging a problem but another knowing how to sort it.

It is time we believed in the process. This is not the easiest of things to do as it requires patience especially in a world that only looks for instant results. The continuous smart and hard work may take time to bring forth results but when it does, the rewards are handsome.

His calls for European based players to play regularly and hit form couldn’t come at a better time. These are players that are the core of our team and their lack of activity at the highest level at their respective bases impact on Chipolopolo negatively.

Additionally, he has called for foreign quotas in the league. This will give more Zambian players chance to compete at the top and provide well tested players for the pool. The more young players get chance to play at the top in our league, he better the foundation both in short and long term.

A man with direction provides a way out of problems. These may appear like little details but their rewards are gigantic.

•Clear Philosophy: Flashes Seen Before

We have seen a coach trying to maximise on the Zambian Players’ innate abilities. The team has been trying to play from the back, trying to use speedy wingers and engage central midfield in attack as opposed to bypassing the midfield as was seen previously.
It may not be the finished article but team can not be faulted for the strides made to have well structured play going forward.

Some games were mundane but some he showed glimpses of impacting a game with his decisions and style. In Namibia, his two substitutions on (Shonga and Mwepu) changed the game and salvaged a point. In the home match against Guinea Bissau,the team suffocated the opponents both on and off the ball making Zambia hard to beat while in the away friendly against Gabon,his team showed ability to hold on to a slender lead.

The positives are there but can only become life blood of team with time and repeated practice.

•National team football requires time: We can’t afford another casualty

Since 2011 Chipolopolo has had 6 coaches (Renard,Patrice, Janza,Lwandamina,Nyirenda and Sven). This is not a health statistic. Everyone came and will come with his own ideas and wants it done in his own way. This is a negative. Considering the limited time national coaches spend with their teams ideas take long to get across and be fully implemented, patience is a virtue. Even renowned teams such as Uruguay with Oscar Tabarez( 12 years +) and Germany with Loew (10 years +) have stuck with their coaches amidst roller coaster rides.

Sven leaving now will require a new man and that will erase the work done now and will take us back to square one translating the last few months of work to waste. It is costly.

•Believes in the Project: Willingness to Stay

Had he been the usual ‘Businessman’ expatriate, he would have left following the AfCON qualification failure and the fire in the aftermath. However,he has kept a clear mind and indicated his willingness to stay. It points in one direction,he has faith in the project despite the rocky ground at present.

Further him talking about the need to build capacity in local coaches can not be ignored. The main team can only get better if the quality of those that prepare the pool is good enough. The need to move with times in methods of coaching can not be ignored either. He means well.

Further,he is already talking about AfCON 2021 and world Cup 2022. The young players in his Chipolopolo set up may be the core of the team come that time if they are exposed to top competitive conditions starting now as it will serve the nation well when that time comes. The U23 qualifiers resume next year and attaching him to that team hands on alongside local coaches will start the preparations in earnest with an eye beyond the 2020 Olympics.

The football process like may others demands planning,Preparation,Implementation and continuous evaluation of targets against specific time frames. It just doesn’t happen overnight.

The coach has demonstrated commitment to all these pillars and against such a background, he deserves a benefit of doubt by staying and steer the ship toward the desired shore.