The Zambia Footballer of the Year awards take place tomorrow in the wake of a small storm on the eve of the ceremony.
Herve Renard has caused a storm at Football House following his alleged comments on the omission of Zambia’s new problem-son and CHAN ace striker Given Singuluma from the 2008 Footballer of the Year awards.
Short-listed for the award are all midfielders and they are Kebby Hachipuka of Choma Eagles, William Njobvu from Zesco United including the Power Dynamos duo of Francis Kasonde and Kennedy Mudenda.
The award for the best player for 2008 will be handed out on Friday at a ceremony to be held at Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka that starts at 16:00.
Renard is alleged to have called the awards committee “jokers” for not considering Singuluma for the player of the year award.
Singuluma inspired Zambia to a 3rd place finish at CHAN after scoring a record setting 5 goals at the inaugural competition hosted by Cote d’Ivoire from February 22 to March 8 this year.
Renard alleged utterances unknowingly hurt Faz treasurer Bonny Mwamelo who also headed the football of the year awards committee.
According to sources, Renard is said to have denied calling the panel jokers for overlooking Singuluma.
Meanwhile, Singuluma would have still been ineligible for nomination for the 2008 award despite his CHAN exploits.
To come up with their shortlist, Faz also use the same as Fifa and Caf’s selection process for its player of the year honor based on performances over a traditional 1-year-calender that sees national team coaches and team captains vote for their top three players.
In this case, coaches and captains from the 16 Faz Premier League team voted for their top 3 rated players from January to December 2008.
The Faz player of the year top 3 players plus ties are selected on a points system with 5,3 and 1 points given to the players who finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the polls respectively.
The Faz football awards committee headed by Mwamelo also includes on its panel Mulenga Kapwepwe(National Arts Council of Zambia Chairperson), Sampa Chitah(KCM) and Col Godfrey Mazeko (Red Arrows chairman).
The committee tallies and verify the votes before compiling the best four shortlist.
RENARD CALLS NJOBVU FOR 2011 QUALIFIERS
And Renard has added William Njobvu and 2008 young player of the year shortlist Jimmy Chisenga to his provisional team that goes into private camp in Johannesburg this Sunday.
The duos inclusion brings to 9 the number of home-based players selected for the Rwanda and Algeria Group C home games on June 6 and 20 respectively.
FIGGE BACK
Former Zambia coach Jochen Figge set to return on 6-month stint as Faz technical director.
This will be the German’s second stint in Zambia after a forgettable 6-months at the helm of the team two decades ago.
The real joker is not FAZ but Singulungulu. Whr in Africa didya hear of any promising athelete playing pro in Lubumbashi?? If this kid doesnt grow quickily hez gonna end up like Mbesuma!
SINGULUMA, the LUBUMBASHI PROFESSIONAL was confused with Katumbi Dollars and some Copper Cathodes from DRC. What can come out of Congo?? CONGO ARE THE CURRENT CHANI CHAMPIONS. TP-Mazembe are in the last 8 African Champions. WATCH-OUT FOR DRC, with Katumbi at the helm of TP-Mazembe. Lets wait and see what SINGULUMA WILL COME BACK WITH FROM DRC.
i still think Faz has to pull up it socks, this issue of mwamelo is another joke. Wat legal action does he want to put up? solve that problem internally. Another guy from Faz Erick Mwanza ( Communications officer) first faz’s web site is a total crap next he starts taking pictures of pipo visisting a convict at chimbokalila prison’s for wat? Has he joined FBI or CIA as per todays post. Wat is happening at faz? All the best to Zambia will be with u in chililabombwe on 6 june and 20 june as usual i cant miss yo games in the cooperbelt. Go Zambia
Mr. Bonny Mwamela, you are up to good by threatening to take legal action against Renard. The Frenchman was just expressing himself on straight forward issue as national coach. He has better understanding of the caliber of deserving players. There is no doubt in the mind a right thing person to deny the fact that Given is player of the moment. Bonny if you cant stand constructive critism then you not fit to hold public office especially at FOOTBAL HOUSE. Serving in FAZ (Soccer Business) is a thankless job if no results are forthcoming. Bonny go back to your Accounting job and leave the coach alone. DO NOT DISTRACT HIS MIND BY THREATENING LEGAL ACTION. When Renard was recruited we wrote him off only a few guys said give him a chance to prove himself and that he has achieved within time.
TP Mazembe is one of the oldest terms in DR. Congo and contributes the bulk of the local players to the Congolese National Team, even the Team that beat Zambia at CHAN 2009 80% were TP Mazembe. That team is like Mighty Mufurila Wanders of Nkana FC or Kabwe Warriors. Being in the last 8, those chaps with the free flowing dollars from Moses Katumbi are serious contenders. Though I am not writing off our own Zesco United, Team ya Zyico. As for Given the chap is on cloud nine and needs proper help or else he will up spoiling his career. Its does not pay for one to sign on with more than one club. For that chap to attending trails here and there with no regard to Zanaco then its smells a rat. Someobdy some where is misbehaving. Watch out the soccer agents are at it again na d FAZ come out clean
“Short-listed for the award are all midfielders”. So why are there only five names if all midfielders have been shortlisted? Perhaps what the writer meant to say is “Those short-listed for the awards are all midfielders”. Wrong grammar distorts the message.
May I ask.. Does Zambia do not have professional players? If no why then? If yes, what make the difference with DC on signing a Zambian player?