Chipolopolo Soccer Fans Association Chairman, Yotham Mwanza, says time has come for Coach, Avram Grant, to step down as head coach of the Zambia National Soccer Team.
Mr. Mwanza said Coach Grant’s performance since his appointment has been below expectations, and that the team’s results under his leadership have continued to disappoint fans.
He stated that if Grant cannot mutually part ways with the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), Zambians are willing to contribute towards paying off his contract so that the team can have a new technical bench.
“If FAZ is afraid to relieve him of his duties due to contractual obligations, every Zambian can contribute K10 each so that Grant can be paid off his dues,” said Mr. Mwanza.
He emphasized that it is inevitable for the team to make changes to the technical bench, saying a local technical bench is capable of producing better results.
And reacting to government’s decision to suspend funding to the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) following a poor run of results, Mr. Mwanza said the move was made out of emotions and could negatively affect all levels of football development.
He explained that the suspension of funding would not only impact the senior men’s team but also women’s football and grassroots programs.
Mr. Mwanza acknowledged that the senior national team’s performance has been questionable in recent years, but urged for dialogue to resolve the challenges without disrupting football operations.
He expressed optimism that with constructive engagement, a lasting solution could be found to improve the national team’s performance.
-RCV