The curtain looks set to come down on one of the longest and most controversial coaching reigns this decade on the Zambian football scene.
Celebrated as a rampaging winger, Peter Kaumba faces an unceremonious exit as Zambia Under-23 coach after six years in charge following his team’s emphatic 4-1 away defeat against Cote d’Ivoire in an Olympic qualifier played in Abidjan on Sunday.
The Ivorian’s win meant the West African nation qualified for next Summers Olympic Games football tournament for the first time ever on an unassailable 12 points with a game in hand.
“That (My future as Under-23) is up to the appointing authority and I’m sure that issue will be discussed,” Kaumba said from Abidjan on Sunday after the defeat when asked whether he still had a role to play in team 2011 when Zambia is expected to host the All-Africa Games.
To most Kaumba is aloof, arrogant and unmovable and as rigid as his much-loved 3-5-1 system.
He isn’t also the easiest of coaches to interview and is very famous for his cut and paste comments.
However, his comments in the build-up to the Olympic qualifier in the local press did not go unnoticed and with Sundays score line, it was now a serious case of whose laughing now.
Kaumba is sure to ride the criticism as he endured three difficult and vitriolic seasons as coach at Kitwe United from 2003 to 2006 where he was unmoved all throughout his reign at Garden Park-win or lose.
Many have attacked him for not heeding to popular cry to draft in playmaker Rainford Kalaba and Clifford Mulenga to the team to counter a potential Cote d’Ivoire coup de grace with the drafting in of Chelsea’s striker Solomon Kalou.
Kalou scored one and was influential against Kaumba’s men in the coach’s forgettable return to the land he enjoyed brief success as a player in the mid-80’s at Africasports.
Despite his shortcomings, Kaumba has enjoyed a good run with the Under-23 taking them past the last eight of the two All-Africa games tournament.
Kaumba has also overseen the development of senior national team mainstays Kennedy Mweene, Billy Mwanza, Collins Mbesuma, Jacob Mulenga and Christopher Katongo-all gradutes of his class of 2003.
And on both All-Africa Games occasions, a podium finish eluded him and had to settle for fourth place.
The Olympics, however, is a whole different story.
Kaumba could be excused for his failure in qualifiers for the 2004 Greece finals when Ghana beat them in the race with Kalusha Bwalya taking charge for the decider played in Accra.
In Abidjan this time around Kaumba was left to his own devise and it will be interesting to see how one of the most emotionless figures on the Zambian bench will recover from this episode.
2007 OLYMPIC GAMES AFRICA ZONE FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT QUALIFIERS.
GROUP A
16/11/2007
Ghana 0- Nigeria 0
26/03/2008
Nigeria – South Africa
GROUP B
18/11/2007
Cote d’Ivoire 4(Gervinho 32″ 38″, Cissé Sékou 59″,Solomon Kalou 80″)- Zambia 1(Given Singuluma 70″)
17/11/2007
Mali 1(Yacouba Diarra)- Senegal 0
GROUP C
17/11/2007
Guinea 1(Mohamed Sylla 24″) – Cameroun 3(Aurelien Chedjou 13″, Alexis Enam Mendomo 38″, Christian Bekamanga 85″)
Teams:
Guinea : 16-Hamidou, 3-Sylla Naby, 4-Camara Aboubakar, 5-Sdibé, 2-Bangoura Ibrahim, 8-Sacko, 14-Camara Mohamed (6-Bangoura Siaka, 58′), 12-Diallo (7-Camara Sekou, 54′), 10-Banagoura Ama, 17-Camara Alseny, 9-Sylla (18-Domingo, 70′).
Subs not used : 1-Touré, 15-Djibril, 11-Camara Ibrahima, 13-Sylla Mohamed.
Coach : Semparé Sekou.
cameroon: 16-Tignyemb, 18-Enam, 12-Bebey, 3-Ghomsi, 5-Ndoum, 15-Ewane, 20-Chedjou, (7-Nganbé, 72′), 4-Nguemo, 19-Ollé Ollé (11-Ousmaila’ 62′), 10-Bekamenga, 17-Dona (14-Otobong, 83′).
Subs not used: 6-Adiaba, 8-Toindouba, 2-Ntolla, 1-Mayebi.
Coach : Martin Ndtoungou Mpilé.
17/11/2007
Botswana 2(Mosimanegape Ramoshibidu, Tebogo Sembowa)- Marocco 0
FAZ PREMIER LEAGUE WEEK 30
17/11/2007
Konkola Blades 1(Moses Phiri 33″)-Kabwe Warriors 1(Musonda Mweuke 3″)
Nchanga Rangers 0-Power Dynamos 1(Francis Kombe 57″)
Green Buffaloes 1(Newa Mwewa 90″ +1)-Young Arrows 2(Kruger Mwansa 78″, Lottie Phiri 90″ +2)
Red Arrows 0-Lusaka Dynamos 1(Chalwe Katongo)
City of Lusaka 0-Zesco United 2(Jonas Sakuwaha 25″ 51″)
Zamtel 2(Graven Chitalu 25″ 31″)-National Assembly 0
Zanaco 1(Chisamba Lungu 71″)-Roan United 0
Forest Rangers 1(Chileshe Mulenga)-Nakambala Leopards 1(Dan Masumba)
TOP SCORERS (17/11/07).
Rainford Kalaba (Zesco United): 23.
Enoch Sakala (Zesco United) 22.
Emmanuel Mayuka (Kabwe Warriors): 15.
Lottie Phiri (Young Arrows): 13.
Felix Nsunzu Jr (Konkola Blades):13.
Winstone Kalengo (Zanaco): 12.
Mumamba Numba (Zanaco): 11.
Lyson Sikaonga (Nchanga Rangers): 11.
Josphet Nkhoma (Lusaka Dynamos): 10.
Nicholas Zulu (Zesco United): 10.
Francis Kombe (Power Dynamos): 9.
Maonga Kabuku (Kabwe Warriors): 9.
Dan Masumba (Nakambala Leopards): 8.
Musonda Mweuke (Kabwe Warriors): 8.
Kruger Mwansa (Young Arrows): 8
Simon Luipya (Red Arrows):8.
Siloni Jere (Kabwe Warriors): 8.
Elson Mukandawire (Power Dynamos) 8.
Noel Mwandila (Green Bufffaloes): 8
Too many people in the last blog are talking crap. Kalaba, or clifford mulenga cant do anything in Abijan. George and Kalusha have failed as coaches. WE must accept that we are useless and inferior to West Africa. ZAMBIA IS CRAP!!!!! Faz has no money. Zambia is a poor third world country that is why we are always playing TANZANIA.
I agree the whole FAZ is just a circus filled with clowns. Nigeria were playing Austrlaia a team with Kewell from liverpool and we were playing tanzania.
Zambia indeed is crap. Nothing will be achieved in this country because we have got too many useless crapped people occupying positions of leadership, both govt and football administrators. Its like this syndrome of mediocre leadership is inherited from one leadership on to the next. And it seems it is a vicious circle and it will never end. Thats why this country is crapped. 43 year later after freedom, the country is struggling in all areas. We do not even have a stadium to show and yet you
say you are a soccer nation. Come to friendlies, its either Malawi or Tanzania, or if we are luck we play DRC (atleast DRC is better). The all FAZ, Govt etc ARE BULLSHIT, AND FULL OF CRAP. Nothing good will ever come out of the country. We are fed up. Africa cup will be a disaster. First round ZAMBIA KNOCK OUT.
EVERYTHING IN ZAMBIA IS CRAP. JUST LIKE THE COUNTRY ITSELF.
“You are crap too”, going by your vibes. But Zeds aint crap, you nameless, headless chicken. You dont even deserve to claim you are Zed. Zambia taught you how to use the net and you can honestly paid US back in this wise. You must be a disappointed African, not Zed. ***** is your middle name. I have never seen rock-bottom intelligence like the one you’ve just put up. You must be a sorry sight. May you rest in eternal oblivion. Cursed is the day your mother told your father she was pregnant. Amen
But zoona Muntuza#6 uli wa nsoselo… eh.My bother you have the vibes to use for a punk like #5. kachikala ka anonymous 2. I know you very well, you’re the hoodrum who slaughters pigs and goats in Chibolya compound. Are you suggesting that you have now moved from Chibolya?
I’m plan to arrive fast very fast to lusaka from Kinshasa and want to see my friend brother Kalu of footbal sportive. i’m stranger person, but like Zambie person and le foot’ sportive in your paye country.You now fire coach of under 23 and that man Patric Phill.
Quality leadership is what we lack in Zambia.We are visibly failing in almost every thing..talk of governing the country,football admin, ultilisation of our own natural resources….We now have investors mainly of Asian origin exploiting our resources and inturn making huge profits at our expenses.. Surely how can we run a country like that? Resistant to change is what is killing us.As for Kaumba he should be fired bcoz he’s not a litsening couch.
I always wonder why we have to continue going through this as a country. After the death of the nation team of 1993, soccer in Zambia has not been the same. we tried our best in 1994 but after that we are either knocked out in the first round or next one. We even failed to win this Cosafa, what is wrong with soccer in Zambia? Why can’t we do what countries like South Africa are doing in soccer, by playing teams like USA? what soccer will we learn from countries like Tanzania?
The government needs to put enough money in the preparation for the Africa cup of nation. We can go and train in Europe, we can take experienced players and we can also train with experienced teams. We should even look at the coaching staff that we have, soccer in Zambia has gone down and there is no improvement. Unreflected experience is not worthy living, we need to look back and see where we have gone wrong in soccer. let us prepare well for the Africa cup coming very soon before it starts.
Anonymous #1-4.You just the same person, actually you thinking is just like P.Kaumba .The U-23s didn’t just fail to qualify to the Olympics cos the just lost to Ivory Coast. The coach was being asked to include R.Kalaba and C.Mulenga not only for the Ivory Coast game but also against Senegal at home and away. Had we won all our home games we would still be in the race even after losing against Ivory Coast. Yes Kalaba and Mulenga would have made a difference especially at home. Anonymous you j
just showing your ignorance of the game of Soccer. You just one frustrated fellow
#13 Sibs.Shangombo, kiss your ass.
#6 Matufi, tomba noko. Wemwana wa ndoshi. Sulu nyoko.
Hey the truth Hurts # 13.
#7 achimwene, polo yanu.
Hey the Truth Hurts # 14.
#18 Sibs It is true the truth hates and these chaps must not come here to insult people. What kind of people are who thrive on insults.
Kemps #19 i am equally shocked by these chaps who thrive on insults.Actually it’s a waste of time to even answer chaps like these.The just want to distract us from real issues.
I think they are enemies sent by the enemies with evil intentions.
I hear you Chips.
The problem is you guys are running away from real issues. We have to admit that we have a crap admin at FAZ and GRZ. Then we find solutions for the country to progress. If you Iam wrong, put up facts to support your arguments and not just insult. If you insult me I will definately hit back.
#23 n others. this is the internet and this wonderful site allows everyone to voice their views which is what is needed. you can have strong views, but be careful, no one will take you seriously if you insult them in the first place. every zambian forum i’ve been to there is always plenty of people just tossing around insult, if you are fortunate enough to be online, please for everyones sake just control your emotions. make your point and explain if need be, add to discussion don’t detract.
I want to agree with you brothers #19,#20 and #24. our Zambian brother anonymous needs to tone his language and focus on real issues under discussion. That way, Zambians will be taken seriously by everyone including other people like that Gentamycin#8 from DRC. Atleast, #23 appears to be coming from a more sober mind.
I agree with you #24 you this world is full of brains with different thoughts
it’s time Zambian footballers and coaches started realising that football is business and theirs alot of money in the Game..the problem is most of these guys are grade sevens, they just play for fun and not money… the moment they started playing for money they get real serious but of course u need talent…and u need coahes who have a degree in physical education to add value and teach the boys like mbesuma some physicology…abash coaches like kaumba, phiri..
chikala phiri has team which beat SA not wrong ago, why can’t he concentrate on playing the same team instead of what is doing,the guy and FAZ are chewing govt money..surely come AFRICA CUP, he’s going to go back and pick mbesuma and his boys and leaving most of the guys he’s using for tanzania …they are just having friendlies coz everybody is doing so, they don’t understand the value of it,…we need education in football.
#23anonymous 2.I have never used any INSULTS on this blog you can check all the Archives.I only challenged you when you started insulting.We will never have the same view cos we different people and that doesn’t bother me. But if one goes on to insult his country of birth or origin then i will defend my country.Otherwise some of your views and points are very good.Some regular guys on the blog including myself have come out and criticized where we felt Faz and the coaches have gone wrong.
Contd.I definitely agree with you we have a Crap Administration in Faz and Government.They have failed us in many areas.A lot of these guys luck foresight and the have not shown leadership when it has mattered most. Kafula #28 it’s true Faz and P.P are just having friendlies cos others are doing so but they seem not to understand the value of it.
Ba ndeko na ba petit nangai, What is the faz you are writing always complain about? I like the zambie brothers in your paye country.
You are right Sibs. You do not insult on the blog at all. I apologise for making you read these insults. It is difficult to keep cool when these guys throw insults first. By the way Sibs did you watch the BB vs Canada game? Iam told the youngsters played better than the old guards who lost 1 nil to USA on saturday.
#31 from DRC pliz use English on this blog so that we can help you.
Anonymous 2 .I just watched a bit of of the first half.Bafana Bafana i think had won the game before it was played.Carlos A.Parreira of late has been under a lot of pressure cos the team hasn’t been doing well.Before the Canada game the had only scored 1 goal in the last 6 games.The guy is clever he choose to play USA,Canada and their next and last game before the leave for Ghana is Lesotho.He choose to play these teams cos he knew he would get results.Against the USA who looked ordinary the
Cont 34. failed to get a result.Man when you getting about $270,000 Per month and the team is not doing well you have to play your cards right.The man says hes not concerned about results now!Though you right the ‘younger guns’ played better than their Senior players.
Its true FAZ is forcing the team to play friendlies just because evryone is doing it. It will be Europe, Angola and SA based players who will go to Ghana and a few regular local ones. We shud’ve organised a match in Europe to include Europe beased players so they dont come down to Africa.
Secondly, my advice to Carlos Perreira,he should send the youngsters to Ghana. They showed hunger and determination and they are very fast on the ball unlike the old guards in the likes of Benni and the group
I continue. I believe that FAZ should try organise a match in Europe say against Nigeria like our friends do. We call SA, local and Angola based players to join their colleugue in Europe and play a friendly or two. Its never too late. After all we already know the team thats going to Ghana. Its basically that team that beat SA in CT. Why even beat about the bush selecting players. Its a waist of time and resources. Wake up FAZ.
I continue. I believe that FAZ should try organise a match in Europe say against Nigeria like our friends do. We call SA, local and Angola based players to join their colleugue in Europe and play a friendly or two. Its never too late. After all we already know the team thats going to Ghana. Its basically that team that beat SA in CT. Why even beat about the bush selecting players. Its a waist of time and resources. Wake up FAZ.
Apologies Comment #38 was a mistake to send, same as #37
people shld len 4rm their past mistakes, zambian football has alwaz been an issue. what i thnk is that FAZ Admin shld be revisited otherwise plying tanzania would not held the team.
FAZ shld wake up en listen to zed pipo.
It is true guys, we need friendlies against formidable sides. I was impressed last night to see Nigeria beat Euro 2008 co-hosts Switzerland 1-0.
kalusha bwalya is a hustla..dude is fake.
People brothers you help me in footbal understanding surounding your very very good neighbor paye country. I go and come back from Kinshasa to Lusaka and Kitye in 2005. Now I plan to arrive’ second time. people are not liking this faz ok. now what is faz in your country. My brother from DRC (Kazadi frezor) is a foot’ sportive in Zambie – Kitye
people are claiming that faz has no money.well namibia i s playing high profile games than us. go to google search and type zambianfootball. good luck
Kafula bwalya too should be a fake ass,icipuma
Kasai#43 from DRC should be helped with what he wants.He seems to be interested in Zed football but he is a lost man. Somebody Help him
Final score; TZ 1 Zed 0. That’s the level at which we are currently. I believe the scenario will be much worse in Ghana next year. These so called local coaches will take us nowhere but just waste our much needed resources. wake up and smell the coofee Zambians!!
Lets get things clear..Government has nothing to do with football. They just help by donating our hard-earned tax money without our consent to the national team. FAZ is supposed to be self funding.If they are not self-funding then they dont know their job and should be fired.