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| Lwandamina |
By Mike Mubanga
Zambia interim Coach George Lwandamina should be prepared to shoulder all the criticism thrown at his Chipolopolo Boys side if he has to see less of it.
Lwandamina takes over the Chipolopolo coaching role from his former Coaching instructor Honour Janza, days before the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match against Guinea Bissau.
The decision to relieve Janza of his duties had been seen coming, especially that the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) stated in March 2015 that Janza would REVERT to his role once a new coach is employed.
18 games, EIGHT WINS, FIVE draws and FIVE losses is the record that Janza leaves, and many of his allies believe it was a great record going by the 'difficult' conditions he was subjected to.
But that is debate for another day.
However, I noted how so combative he was to criticism. Everyone has been or is subject to criticism; it's how you come off it that matters most.
It is true that most of the matches that Zambia won since August 2014 were against WEAKER opponents.
It is true that Zambia FAILED to go past the group stages of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.
It is also true that Zambia were BOOTED out of the 2015 COSAFA Cup proper at their first hurdle, and went on to lose against Malawi in a PLATE final.
So what is wrong when people criticize the Chipolopolo's performance based on facts, or is that now called hate?
Ahead of this weekend's match against Guinea Bissau, I believe victory over the west-African opponents could well give Lwandamina's troops the impetus they need to turn their results around.
What Lwandamina should know is that there are some unhappy people, but that is natural and it comes with losing.
As a coach, it is Lwandamina's job to contain that pressure, he is big enough to handle everything which is thrown at him and the team.
It is his job to take the criticism and make sure the players do not feel any of that when they get to training.
What he should concentrate on is strive on that first win and a change of fortune that will be able to attract back the die-hard supporters who have stayed away from Chipolopolo matches.
I am sure he is aware of the significance of a victory for Zambia's standing, and the need to quieten a growing unrest.
PERMANENT COACH COMING?
The country was told through a statement from FAZ that 'updates on the announcements of the new head trainer will be given over the coming weeks.'
This means that Janza's situation is not different from Lwandamina's; acting and NOT EMPLOYED.
Zambia interim Coach George Lwandamina should be prepared to shoulder all the criticism thrown at his Chipolopolo Boys side if he has to see less of it.
Lwandamina takes over the Chipolopolo coaching role from his former Coaching instructor Honour Janza, days before the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match against Guinea Bissau.
The decision to relieve Janza of his duties had been seen coming, especially that the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) stated in March 2015 that Janza would REVERT to his role once a new coach is employed.
18 games, EIGHT WINS, FIVE draws and FIVE losses is the record that Janza leaves, and many of his allies believe it was a great record going by the 'difficult' conditions he was subjected to.
But that is debate for another day.
However, I noted how so combative he was to criticism. Everyone has been or is subject to criticism; it's how you come off it that matters most.
It is true that most of the matches that Zambia won since August 2014 were against WEAKER opponents.
It is true that Zambia FAILED to go past the group stages of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.
It is also true that Zambia were BOOTED out of the 2015 COSAFA Cup proper at their first hurdle, and went on to lose against Malawi in a PLATE final.
So what is wrong when people criticize the Chipolopolo's performance based on facts, or is that now called hate?
Ahead of this weekend's match against Guinea Bissau, I believe victory over the west-African opponents could well give Lwandamina's troops the impetus they need to turn their results around.
What Lwandamina should know is that there are some unhappy people, but that is natural and it comes with losing.
As a coach, it is Lwandamina's job to contain that pressure, he is big enough to handle everything which is thrown at him and the team.
It is his job to take the criticism and make sure the players do not feel any of that when they get to training.
What he should concentrate on is strive on that first win and a change of fortune that will be able to attract back the die-hard supporters who have stayed away from Chipolopolo matches.
I am sure he is aware of the significance of a victory for Zambia's standing, and the need to quieten a growing unrest.
PERMANENT COACH COMING?
The country was told through a statement from FAZ that 'updates on the announcements of the new head trainer will be given over the coming weeks.'
This means that Janza's situation is not different from Lwandamina's; acting and NOT EMPLOYED.
The risk of Lwandamina losing the job in the same
manner as Janza is higher, going by the unclear conditions set-out for the
interim coach.
We seem to be warming the bench for an expatriate, but for how long? Time will tell.
