‘INVEST IN COACHES’ AS CLUBS MUST EMPOWER COACHES BY SENDING THEM ABROAD FOR TRAINING, SAYS SHAMBULO

By MICHAEL MIYOBA                                                                                                CLUBS must empower their coaches by sending them abroad for advanced courses, says the Zambia Football Coaches Association (ZaFCA). ZaFCA vice-president Lewis Shambulo said the issue of demoting and firing coaches for not having the needed qualification is not helping coaches to develop. Shambulo was reacting to Kabwe Warriors    interest to engage …

‘INVEST IN COACHES’ AS CLUBS MUST EMPOWER COACHES BY SENDING THEM ABROAD FOR TRAINING, SAYS SHAMBULO
By MICHAEL MIYOBA                                                                                                CLUBS must empower their coaches by sending them abroad for advanced courses, says the Zambia Football Coaches Association (ZaFCA). ZaFCA vice-president Lewis Shambulo said the issue of demoting and firing coaches for not having the needed qualification is not helping coaches to develop. Shambulo was reacting to Kabwe Warriors    interest to engage a new head coach with a CAF “A” or CAF “Pro” coaching Licence to lead the team in the CAF Confederations Cup, He said it is important for clubs to send their coaches abroad to help elevate their coaching badges. Shambulo also called on government to assist in empowering local coaches with a lot of potential to contribute to the growth of the Zambian game. “During our time it was the clubs and government to send coaches for further trainings. Coaches should have a sense of belonging. “All the coaches who used to coach used to come from the ranks like coach Beston Chambeshi for example, he has coached Nkana and each time he performs badly he is chased but he comes back because of the sense of belonging to Nkana “So a club like that should also look after Beston by sending him abroad for further training,” Shambulo said. “Sending letters and firing coaches, is not helping so I’m advising the clubs to try and see if they can upgrade the coaches so that they can have a sense of belonging.” Shambulo said Zambian football development and the welfare of Zambian coaches required the support of all major stakeholders who includes the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ). “Our technical department should also start opening up and not just limiting to this country. They should start sending coaches abroad to help them upgrade. “When Wedson Nyirenda was removed, there were five coaches who were scheduled to go abroad for training but that did not take place. We need those opportunities to be created for the coaches to develop,” Shambulo said. Meanwhile, Shambulo has called on the four Zambian envoys in the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederations Cup to strengthen their teams to avoid what happened to Napsa Stars who were relegated from the Super League despite having impressed in the CAF Confederations Cup. “All the players should be equal to the task to play at both levels. They must beef up their squad with good players who can play in the league and the continental competition,” Shambulo said. Zambian champions Zesco United, Zanaco FC, Red Arrows and Kabwe Warriors will compete in the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup respectively.