By Godfrey Chikumbi in Kawambwa
May I begin by congratulating His Excellency the President Mr. Michael Sata on his election as our Republican President and Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) patron.
The year 2010 was a dark year for the Zambian football family as confusion and lawlessness almost plunged us into serious problems that would have made FIFA crack a whip on our football.
Little did many of the Zambians realize that the football turmoil that we found ourselves into; was fueled by the heavy hand of politicians. It was sad to note that only people who are not important in our football made screaming headlines in our daily tabloids at the expense of the most important person in the game of football, the player.
I say this with great disappointment in light of the National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ)’s u-turn on the so called National Football League (NFL). There are more questions than answers asked by Zambians on why the u-turn. I join the rest in quizzing the NSCZ board to tell us what exactly happened. I should probably propose a commission of enquiry to enquire into the confusion at NASDEC.
I was called a cadre for Kalusha Bwalya because I together with a few friends and colleagues strongly opposed the toppling of a legitimately elected FAZ executive by a group of criminals and their cohorts who joined hands in trying to overthrow Kalu and his men. One of my uncles who is a police officer based on the Copperbelt warned me of an impending doom on me if I continued to openly support Kalu. He said this because he knew for sure that a very big fish in the country who wanted his children to take over FAZ was behind the confusion.
He said somebody’s child was interested in running the country’s FA as was evident by the imposition of the national team coach on FAZ. There were serious family ties that were involved in the whole FAZ fiasco.
You don’t need to sweat to point out that Chifumu Banda worked under instructions to demonize and lampoon Kalusha because some members of the executive in Emmanuel Munaile, Violet Bwalya, Henschel Chitembeya and Hilary Chipango had resigned. Following the quartet’s resignation, the media called Kalu ‘embattled’. Journalists did not realize that the FAZ constitution does provide for co-optation of new members in the event that some resign pending ratification by the council.
Simataa Simataa and his tandem of crooks at some point managed to convince the nation about the ‘sins’ of Kalu that guaranteed his crucifixion. Many were blindfolded including those who called themselves friends of Zambian football. Kalu appeared to be the most sinful football personality in Zambia. Some people were sponsored to parade themselves to speak and write what I would now commit to trash.
Some media houses went as far as South Africa to parade Danny Jordan to decampaign Kalusha when he vied for CAF executive committee member. He went against many people’s wishes to contest at CAF and had a resounding and emphatic victory. This shamed many.
Very few people amongst whom am saw through the thicket and were convinced that Kalu was innocent and never deserved to be attacked and provoked left, right and centre. We refused to associate ourselves with those who continuously insulted Kalu. Despite this, the man remained focused and clung to the FAZ top seat unshaken. I remember having chatted with Kalu on the eve of the Moba – turned Mubende FAZ AGM asking him whether he contemplated resigning to which he responded he was not ready to hand over power to some selfish and disgruntled individuals.
Having said this, it is now surprising that NSCZ chose to lie over telling the truth concerning the FAZ debacle. Am the happiest person today because Iam vindicated by my earlier write-ups in Kalu’s defence on this site. I didn’t defend the indefensible like some other people who put a barrel against their heads to defend lawlessness perpetrated by Chifumu Banda and his cohorts.
First of all, it was Chifumu Banda on record having opposed the registration of NFL saying that there was need for change of policy to accommodate the Kamanga –led NFL. It did not take time before we saw Chifumu Banda again making a u-turn by registering NFL. I wrote in one of my articles quizzing State Counsel Banda on what change of policy happened to register NFL. Today NSCZ has strongly told us through its spokesman, smart Mwitwa that NFL does not exist. What do they take us for? Do they think we are deaf to fail to hear what they told us. Is it not the same Mwitwa who told this nation that NFL had successifully been registered with the sports supreme body? Didn’t newspapers, radio, TV stations including blogs carry headlines concerning the registration of NFL? Somebody tell me please.
Those entrusted with the rare power to rule and preside over the affairs of national interest must not take us for granted. It is always bad to take people for granted. As we talk now, some people have learnt their political lessons as the nation transits into the new system. This nation witnessed the greatest deception and delusion by NSCZ. Who doesn’t know by now that Simataa Simataa had a wall against which he leaned? Government wasted our money on parallel FAZ AGMs. Who funded the two Mulungushi international conference centre meetings one of which was chaired by Hon. Luxon Kazabu? Who sponsored Simataa Simataa’s trip to Zurich? All the funds spent must be accounted for. Whoever spearheaded that nonsense must pay for it.
What was so surprising was that, even under extreme provocation, Kalu managed to forgive simataa Simataa amidst calls to ban him for life at the Mulungushi Rock of Authority in Kabwe. That is the man they have always give the arrogant tag. We all are regretting for not taming Simataa Simataa. Humility is a very rare commodity to come by. Kalu exhibited humility of the highest level by embracing his archenemies. However, the man together with his few faithfuls in Boniface Mwamelo, George kasengele, Erick Mwanza, Julio Chiluba and company could not manage to command public appealing. The media tried to delete the rich history at the back of the former African Footballer of the year of 1988.
In his keynote address to the delegates in Kabwe, Kalu made it clear that those who wanted to rid FAZ of him were to do so by way of the ballot. He wondered why people wanted to use the backdoor to enter FAZ. He was very right just like any other legitimately elected leadership cannot allow that.
We had information that the immediate past patron supported the Kamanga faction. Yes, NSCZ is a government wing that enjoys government funding; and so the body must bow to government’s pressure no matter what, which is wrong. Statutory bodies must try to be as neutral as possible so as to create a level playing field for everyone. There should not be influence of the slighetest from the powers that.
Now that everyone knows the truth about what happened a whip must crack at NSCZ. This will serve as a lesson to those who take people for granted. Culprits must be brought to book for Just to prevail. My appeal to FAZ is that they must now be preparing penalties to be meted out on the offenders.
Peace and reconciliation must now begin to reign at football house. It is time for fresh hair. Lastly, Iwish to wish the Chipolopolo boys good lucky as we take on Libya next weekend. Go Zambia go!!!
Spot on Godfrey. And amidst all this confusion, a certain Andrew Kamanga was imposed on Kabwe Warriors as chairman. The result is the one time magnificent ones wallowing in relegation woes. Its time he left our club
Correct and 110% right. We all know this scam. Is it by coincident that the Finish-Based Players ,most of whom are Ex Chiparamba Academy,were involved in the match-fixing scum? We all know who ownes Chiparamba. Simata-Simata, Ted Mulonnga and Uncle Chifumu certainly know alot. But were why were pro PF guys like Kazabu supporting the Simata Camp? Bravo Kalu, Bravo FAZ, Bravo Zed Soccer.
We EVERY MUCH AGRE WITH THAT THE NSCZ SHOULD GO.IT IS NOT TO FAZ BUT TO SO MANY ASSOCIATION,LOOK AT THE ZAAA ELECTIONS CHIPALO AND MUBANGA WERE NOT ALLOWED TO BE PART OF THE AGM AND THE COUNCIL SUPPORT OFFICER MAJ MUCHIMBA WAS JUST WATCHING,COL KUNDA CAME AT 12 HOURS WHEN THE MEETING WAS ABOUT TO FINISH.WE NEED A NEW NSCZ FOR SPORT TO MOVE ON. WELL.GO NASDEC THE OFFICES ARE JUST BUSSY EATING.MAJ MUCHIMBA AND KUNDA BOTH NO NEXT TO NOTHING ON SPORTS
Okay Mr Chinkumbi tell us why the commitee members inclunding the vice president resigned ?All of them are qouted as sying FAZ is a one man show. Are you calling them lairs ? If you can not respond to this question shut up! You are making noise !
Chifumu Banda is mr NCC,were can he take the sports.To day no AGM for the NSCZ.Ba minister you need to visit the so called NASDEC,it is lke personal to holder car.GS Chipili is just some other fool.
Mbuzi
You might be the only who did not know that RB wanted to replace kalu with his nephew kamanga, RB and his deliquent sons had their paws all over FAZ like chicken pox. As if imposing a nobody Bonneti on our team by his Italian based son wasn’t enough, this family of thugs were determined to turn faz into a family affair.
we all know that Great Kalu was accused as being PF. Rupiah Banda and his crooks must account for the mess they put this country in. they hurt many people.
for some time, they distabilised football.
who can match Kalu in zambia in football matters?
Even that old ungrateful malawian Denis Liwewe, he had the guts to distabilise Kalu. lets expose them now.i wonder where this country would be heading to if Rupiuah and his children won those elections. VIVA people of zambia
Walasa mwana ! I personally feel Kalu is the right man for the Job and must continue in the position. We have too many chancers in our Football and is why our league will never improve.
Chifumu you are supporting a wrong person kalu.We zambians will not allow people (selfsh to run football) in zambia.
Kalu will be Faz boss,what u gonna do about it?
iwe Chikumbi stop embarrassing yourself on the FAZ issue. I personally have no political connection with RB but I can assure u that Kalusha messed up big time. Taking money from players who are co-opted into the national team and making deals for FAZ without NSCZ and FAZ Executive members etc. I agree with u that there is a commission of enquiry into the dealings of NSCZ but also include the dealings of FAZ. We will then see who was clean and wasnt.
Dont be too daft
Why only Simataa?Why are you avoiding mentioning kamanga himself?Can someone tell us who kamanga is?We know Simataa but where did kamanga come from?They are both guilty of the same crime so lets not be selective here.Chifum is trying to hoodwink us.Why didnt he throw the book at them?
Viva Great Kalu.Kamanga has failed to run Kabwe warriors.shame on Rupiah’s children.Simata shame on u and your amakumbi stars.Simataa being the head of the coaches association has been on record condeming the clubs that hire and fire coaches at will.He has never said a word to his friend Kama ga on Kabwe worriors high turnover of coaches.Shame on you simataa.Let Kalu manage in peace.
How did anybody fall for Pivoty Simwanza´s lies, come on people! He was in the Evaristo Kasunge Exec, and they messed up big time. Now they want to demonize Kalu, why, because some people have always been opportunists, they always want to go where they smell money
#11 CHILLS – some tribes are paranoid about Lozis. Any name that is lozi brings out hate – that is the main reason the Lozis want their Barotseland. If Simataa was Kalusha, right now everybody would be condeming FAZ. A lozi can’t win in Zambia because they are feared so much. That is why although I was initially against Linyungandambo, I have come to understand their argument after meeting one of them. They are better off not being part of Zambia – at least if we want to prevent any future possibilities of a civil war in future. Kamanga and Simataa made the same attack on Kalusha, but ofcourse only a Lozi is visible for attacking a Bemba. This will get worse now with Sata in government…and the only way for Lozis is out. Sata should not even try to stop them…
I THINK THIS TRIBAL BANTER IS BEST LEFT OUT OF SPORT. IT IS VERY DISAPPOINTING TO READ WHAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN. MAY GOD BLESS ANDÂ GUIDE YOU TO SEE THAT ZAMBIA IS NO LONGER TRIBAL. VERY SOON NO ONE WILL SAY AM LOZI OR BEMBA COZ NOW U HAVE PIPO WITH NAMES LIKE BWALYA LINDUNDA UNTHINKABLE BEFORE BUT IT IS VERY MUCH COMMON NOW.Â
Dogs have come to the country.
Weulembele ifi iwe cimo naine uli mutwe wamana. Ndasako ka email add or fone number tulelenda
100% spot on this letter!! Well written and well said!! I am behind this all the way.
imwe namwe mwebantu kalu alitumpa sanafye.lets not paint him white.kalu has his faults.nikumupusika uku.
Short memories. London fiasco with only eight players available and students playing, Comores game with no referees, unilaterally signed deals with Supersport, Nike, without input or knowledge of executive committee members, auditor general report of misuse of funds, money unaccounted for from national team matches abroad and contracts for same matches not seen or known by executive, involvement of FA president in Mbesuma, Mbola transfers for personal gain. Is this the type of leadership football needs? Let’s learn to look at facts and not hero worship for past achievements. We need competence and professionalism in running Zambian football otherwise forget about competing with the best.
My appeal to FAZ is that they must now be preparing penalties to be meted out on the offenders……
Peace and reconciliation must now begin to reign at football house….. It is time for fresh hair
WHAT A CONTRADICTORY MORON!
I do not agree that RB had a hand in the FAZ wrangles. If any thing people who were in the then opposition are the ones that hand a hand in those FAZ wrangles. Luckson Kazabu, Simata, Kamanga and the Post newspaper were all aligned to the opposition and were all great critics of Kalu. Further more none of these mentioned supported RB. These are some of the issues Lubinda is citing as things that can be misleading the sitting goverment because some people want to impress the government. On this matter I find Chifumu to be a liar.
Busakile man you should here to really see the true picture. I shall be soon listing down RB’s achievements and the near collapse of FAZ is top on the list. A lesson to all politicians, let the past glory and achievement lie in the achieves and do not use them to solve sound structures. If RB wasnt involved FAZ saga I dare Kamanga and cohorts to appeal or challenge Chifumu Banda over registration. And Chifumu Banda I am disapointed with you. You did better apologize to kalu and resign from all positions and never represent no clients-What a laywer!!!
Who is Andrew Kamanga? Simataa x2 is a disgrace.
The same Kamanga chap has disappeared like a dog with its tail between
Its legs upon hearing that his uncle has lost plot one!
As for Simataa! That man is a Failure-period. he has a PHD
(Pull Him Down) syndrome. he wants positions but no brains
And foresight! NsCZ Â board must resign on moral grounds before
The Cobra spits!
And some people are posting tribal issues! How petty of you. Be real man, chifumu, kamanga and the chief architect of the whole drama RBish are all easterners, so what the hell are u saying?
Kalus strength of character came out through that mess created by the Kamanga-Simata duo. No wonder he had a great career as a sportsman, never shivering when the wind was in his face.
Godfrey Chikumbi this is a daft article. There is no need trying to analyse a straight forward issue. Chifumu Banda and SCZ have suddenly changed their positions on FAZ and National Football League because now it is a Bemba Sata who is president and they don’t want to be seen to be hounding a Bemba Kalusha at FAZ. FULL STOP. Last time they aligned themselves with Andrew Kamanga because a Ngoni or an Easterner was in power. If a Lozi became president I’m sure Simataa would be correct one to back. That is the extent to which Zambia has been reduced. Nothing matters, except tribalism, nepotisim and bootlicking. We will never develop. If Sata died today and a Tonga took over Marcha Chilemena’s side on the issue would carry the day. Only a country of dogs behaves like that.
kwena iwe chikunta kinte ulichipuba! are you liking Zambians to dogs sure? just wish your uncle Rupia had learned something from great Kalu am sure he could have won and Zambia (in your world) could have been likened to Angels! move on…..
Ya, bantu benangu.
Really?” a country of dogs”? people lets be more civil in oir discourse. There is no place for insults in public debate. Its okay to disagree thats how we share ideas. It does us no good to degrade others but even more importantly ourselves.
#26 UMOZI WAZED – the saying “only a country of dogs behaves like that” is not an insult. Just face the reality of the issue at hand. The behaviour being exhibited by us Zambians is not any different from that of animals. That is my opinion and you don’t have to agree with it. If you choose to close your eyes to the truth that is your problem; I’m not a bootlicker. I call reality what it is from my perspective. Godfrey Chikumbi has written his article with such conviction as if his version is the truth and the only right version of what transpired – which is wrong. He is obviously biased towards Kalu and that has blinded him, but he should declare his bias from the beginning. He should not make statements as if he is neutral and condem everybody not on his side. It is silly!!
very biased article. time it self has brought about this healing.
@27 Kunta-kinte….You really are rebel without a cause, they can never be a civil war in Zambia, if some tribalist lozi,s want to leave Zambia well & good feel free to go, but where are going to go? You can start of a be a refuggee in Namibia mufana because if you try that stupid rebellion we shall use the who force of the law to crush you even chase you out of Zambian soil.President Sata just pardoned your trouble makers who were rotting in your stinking Jails and yet you have the audacity to insult him. For good measure we shall wait until Hon Given Lubinda becomes president, so that when you try your fake rebellion, we send the army to crush or chase you into Namib desert at least then you won,t say every other tribe hates you. you rebel with no cause whatsoever..
Kunta-Kinte better still if you really prove come and meet me at the Savoy Grill in charing cross but be warned , l intend to make an example of you** Masipa * *** fyola
Khunta All I was saying is that you could use more civil analogies. The author of the article you are so incessed about was very clear and articulate in explaining his position. He happens to side with Kalu. Any body with a different view should put it up. let those of us that care decide based on the facts brought forward. Oh and yes to liken our country to a “nation of dogs” is an insult. The thing is tho, nobody can dectate how you feel. In your original post you wrote”dogs have come to the country” ! who are u refering to as “Dogs”?
seventh day adventist. As much as it is annoying when you feel disrespected also remember that two wrongs do not make a right. As your name suggests I hope you are of faith. luke 1:52″he has brought down rulers from their thrones and lifted up the humble”. Please tone down your rhetoric.
OK my brother l will tone it down and have changed my name from SDA, thank you
Chikumbi & others, YOU ARE ALL BOOTLICKERS, TRYING TO GET FAVORS FROM THE CURRENT PRESIDENT _ YOU ARE TRYING TO KEEP THE STATUS QUO OF POLITICIZING SPORT, FOOTBALL IN PARTICULAR, I think our presido HAS MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO SORT OUT, THAN LISTEN TO NINCOMPOOPS LIKE YOU.
There is a minister of Sport whom the NSCZ falls under. If he feels it is under performing, it is within his powers to dissolve it. IF YOU ARE STILL AGRIEVED, WE HAVE THE COURTS, that as our presido showed, can also rule in your favor at times!!
IN SHORT, ABASH THE POLITICIZATION OF ZAMBIAN SPORT!! We are supposed to be starting afresh, NOT ERECTING NEBULOUS BOUNDARIES TO THINGS THAT ARE STRAIGHT FORWARD. MR PRESIDO, I ASK YOU TO INGORE THESE CHAPS, or KINDLY DIRECT THEM TO THE RIGHT DOORSTEPS WITH THEIR COMPLAINTS!
Some of bloggers don’t make sense, no where in this article does the writer talk about Rupiah. Great Kalu’s like a son to Rupiah. Morons like Simataa and Kamanga thought Rupiah was protecting Kalu. Its amazing how you guys can twist things. Sata blamed kalu in this circus – check the archives.
The article is well written but, for sure it would have been more convincing if you had bothered to explain the allegations against Kalu eg the MTN deal, the Konkola sponsorship,the high handedness and disregard of procedures in dealing with disciplinary matters as exhibited by Anthony, why Kalu and also Bonnet re often more outside Zambia than here where their duty demands them to be, etc.
RB, a man whom I personally have very little regard in many areas, on the FAZ fiasco deserves some commendation in the way he conducted himself esp to avoid the obvious action by FIFA had the govt shown any bias.
It is sad that Simataa managed to pull down intelligent people in his bad agendas for FAZ. That man (Simataa) was in FAZ before and can not say he achieved anything that can reach Kalusha’s acomplishments while there. Kabwe Warriors started suffering in terms of results because the chairman got so in trenched in Simataa’s futile cause. These people need watching for they do not know what is meant term ‘greater good’ means as long as they achieve their selfish ends.
I wonder why the Lozi are being mentioned here. Western province is the only Province that did not vote on tribal lines and should be commended for such. other provinces such as Luapula and Southern and to some extent Northern have to learn from the way the people of western province voted.. there were voting for individuals to deliver and not based on tribal or political alignment. Bravo Westerners!
I wazn’t much of RB’z fan, but to insinuate that he wanted to “impoze” Andrew Kamanga on FAZ iz extremely cheap thinking. If we chooze to ignore the major short-comingz of Kalusha at the helm of FAZ, then I suggest we move on withe status quo, and let the sleeping dogz lie, for the sake of the good game. Let’s not demonize innocent men and women whose only percieved crime waz to seek to bring sanity at Football House.
Mr Chifumu Banda is a failure, he supports some thing which he knows is wrong, why should a state counsel behave like that, it is shameful of him. He is too old to be controlled like that. A commission of inquiry should be set up to investigate that saga at FAZ by the new permanent secretary not defunct Mulonga at the Sports Ministry. I hope Shamenda is listening. This same Chifumu is at the centre of the failed constitution process NCC
ONLY WONDERING OF ALL PIPO HOW CAN YOU PUT SMART MWITWA AS NSC SPOKES PERSON?HE IS BOOTLICKER.KNOW HIM INSIDE OUT.GET SOMEONE WHO IS SERIOUS