Simataa Simataa has laughed off media reports suggesting that he is ineligible to make the short-list for the Football Association of Zambia because he does not have a full secondary school leavers certificate.
Media reports on Monday suggested that Simataa has been axed from the short-list after allegedly failing to produce his school leavers certificate..in this case a Grade 12 pass.
Simataa said in a statement that it was clear that the battlelines had still not faded since FAZ president Andrew Kamanga came into office in March.
“I have been prompted to issue this press statement following recent media statements questioning my academic qualifications after my decision to apply for the vacant position of general secretary at the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ),” Simataa said in a statement.
“Following the election of Mr. Andrew Kamanga as president of FAZ, a lot of us thought it was the time to hold hands together, rebuild and focus on developing Zambian football. It is with profound regret that I feel I was wrong and the football battles we thought were over, are now back to haunt us.
“Following a a speculative report suggesting that I was going to be appointed as general secretary, the vice president of FAZ, Richard Kazala, attacked me and my candidature suggesting that I had an outstanding disciplinary case.
“It’s more than four weeks that I asked for a retraction of the said press statement by Richard Kazala which he has not heeded.
“When FAZ decided to scout for the general secretary by way of invitation to apply, I did so. I have been left to ask the following questions: was this a public interview where details of the shortlisted candidates as well as interviews have made their way into the press before a final decision on who becomes the next general secretary is made?
“How come that right through this selection process, all the pro-Andrew Kamanga applicants like Ponga Liwewe, Adrian Kashala and myself have been subject to negative reporting and innuendos concerning our qualification and suitability for the position?
“The allegations raised against our candidature have not even been proved yet the process continues.
“Further, The Post newspaper of Monday, 9th May, 2016 published a story saying that I had failed to produce my Grade 12 certificate and yet in my responding to the advert, I sent to FAZ a certified copy of my school leaver’s certificate which is the equivalent of a Grade 12 certificate. With a certified copy, is the original more important? And even when I submitted my original degree from the University of Zambia, it was not verified against any other document.
“Please be reminded that at the time I was sitting for my secondary leavers’ examinations, there was no Grade 12 but Form 5.
“I feel unjustly treated. I entered this process with the hope to see professionalism but alas, it has left me full of mistrust.
“The way I feel now is that if I were a patient with a serious ailment requiring a blood transfusion at the moment, I would not accept the blood offered locally unless it were imported from outside the country.
“I call upon the president of FAZ to review this whole process in the interest of fair play, ethical conduct and transparency.”
I think Kamanga is trying too hard to do the right things quickly. He needs to cleanse football house first. Get like minded people in there otherwise Kalus people will frustrate him.
I like the implied meaning of ‘I would want blood imported”. Dr Mulenga rise above this pettiness & do the right thing. Its educated idyots like you, Mulenga, who are destroying this country. There are so many ways you could have ‘failed’ Simataa without trying to muddy his reputation. Afterall applying for a job is not automatic reason for offer of the same unless your preferred applicants are dirty little G12s.
Well done brother Simataa! Good you have added your usual candid testimony to this fight with devils even in this nice game of foot ball.
You are the best candidate for the job that’s why there is panic in the devils camp.”let God arise and His enemies be scattered!”
Kamanga has to do the needful! Above all, be much in prayer and iam praying for you too my brother.
Simataa is the right man for the job, o mud slinging here……………uneducated people like Kazala, ohhh by the way does he himself have a G12 certificate? He stopped school in grade 11 at Chingola High School.
This is not an allegation….it is a fact…I was there!
I agree with you that Kazala did not complete grade 12. He dropped out. Actually, the post of SG of FAZ should be elective so that personal vendettas are not brought into the selection process. Otherwise, Bro Simataa is the right candidate for this position. He is articulate and passionate about Zambian football.
Personally, I think Simataa is a poison chalice whom Andrew will do good to keep away from! But the methods being used to disadvantage him in this illegal method of selecting GS are not fair…
For Andrew to do his job properly, he must not involve Simataa Simataa, he is a poisonous snake. I don’t think Andrew needs Kazala either, although he was a deputy minister, he has a checkered past. In fact between the two devils, Simataa Simataa and Richard Kazala, Simataa would be a better devil.
That’s Simataa for you, the ever divisive buffoon.
FOR YOUR OWN INFORMATION SIMATAA SIMATAA IS THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB. PEOPLE WHO ARE SAYING THINGS AGAINST HIM THEY DONT KNOW HIM. I BET TO YOU THAT THE COMBINATION BETWEEN SIMATAA, AND KAMANGA WILL TRANSFORM OUR FOOTBALL IN ZAMBIA. SIMATAA IS AN HONEST MAN, AND GOD FEARING.
Kazala is a grade 12 drop out inherited his fathers business he is a mechanic
This is a very low blow. Those of us who know Simataa personally know how accomplished he is and how clear his academic path is. I have no idea why it is that in Zambia lies are peddled with impunity and even celebrated. Add to that a population that lacks the capacity of very, very basic research. Everything is a report in the press or heresay. Shame mwe.
…meant hearsay. What sort of autocorrect is this anyway!?
KALOK, I AGREE WITH YOU THAT ZAMBIA IS A COUNTRY WERE PEOPLE CALL BLACK WHITE AND WHITE, BLACK. SIMATAA IS A GREAT THINKER AND HAS A CLEAR MIND. MY ADVICE TO KAMANGA AND TEAM TO PICK SIMATAA AS GENERAL SECRETARY FOR FAZ.
The demon of donchi kubeba has gripped Zambia and requires to be exorcised.
Its lies, lies, lies, lies, lies, lies, slander, slander, slander, slander, …………..
My advise to Andrew is that the cleaning process of FAZ should be accelarated because he is working amoung people that want him to fail.
Let him move swiftly and start weeding out the bad weeds which may choke the association
As long as we have Kalusha’s dogs in FAZ there will be no development. Ba fika..la ba fit..ole are only there to frustrate Kamanga. We know you ba koswe imwe. Pack your bags and follow your master Kalusha. Ba fyatile mwanunka pamatako.
Kamanga we know you are in good books with Simata Simata but allow Ponga to take that position in the interest of football. Talkative Kamanga will divide football house nabu bulldozer bwaba Kambwili type of leadership!
talkative Simata sorry..
Kamanga should just stop this bogus process and give the job to Simataa. Kamanga is mandated by the constitution to headhunt the S.G without even consulting his executive. Come on Kamanga, toughen up. Don’t allow low-lifers to undermine your mandate.
People who have worked with Simataa, like me, know what a passionate professional he is. It’s pity that a lot of our citizens have been spoiled such that anyone who wants to do things right is not wanted! As one who wants to see sanity in Zambian football I’m praying to have Simataa as GS. Zambian football needs more people like him!
TRUE UMWINA NKANA. IN ZAMBIA WE DONT LIKE PEOPLE WHO ARE HONEST. EXAMPLE IN POLITICS WE HAVE CALLED GENERAL MIYANDA BECAUSE THE MAN IS SO HONEST BUT PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA KEEP ON REJECTING HIM. SO I EDGE YOU MY BROTHER KAMANGA TO PICK SIMATAA AS YOUR GS.
Kamanga should give the job to simaata simaata. He has to work with a visionary and strong team to cleanse FAZ.
Stop tribalism na mu football,ba bamba zonke.leave Simata simata to take over he is the best for now.
You M1otherfu1king tribalist. Anti you the id1iot who is in the habit of spewing out tribal sentiments against other tribes you cockroach. Wabe t
The grade issue is really driving people nuts and bananas! Soon we will be questionging professors at UNZA about their grade 12 certificates. My point is that the grade is not what make leaders and it will not help solve the problem facing FAZ. Having no grade 12 certificate should not be considered a none starter in life. Let us not demonize our friends without such a paper. They can still make considerable contribution to football and other sectors.
Nobody is saying they cannot make “considerable contribution to football and other sectors”! Of course they can! At appropriate levels which require different minimum qualifications! As for bo Simataa, we all know that there are people in FAZ that develop diarrhoea whenever they pick a whiff of his perfume in the corridors of Football House because they fear that he will have them prosecuted for the plunder they have perpetrated over the years! Simataa did not buy his Form Five or First Degree certificates, unlike some people who only have certificates of attendance from some obscure establishments! He earned those qualifications, and is a very honest man with the highest level of integrity! That’s why thugs like one Kazala feel uncomfortable around him!
What’s a jewel to a pig? Indeed low lifers like the FAZ VP would not want any clean person to take up the position of FAZ SG because they would be exposed for what they are! They have a misplaced sense of entitlement, as they are not in it for service, but personal aggrandisement and egoistical stoking as they continue to plunder the meagre resources that the government continues to pump into FAZ. There is a puppeteer somewhere who is pulling the strings, and we all know who. If you want to kill a snake, chop off its head. I hope Kamanga finds the strength to assert his authority and get rid of the infamous “FAZ” CARTEL! There are chaps from the previous establishment who cannot survive outside the “system”, hence their overt hostility to anyone who is perceived as a possible…
What is Kamanga still waiting for…Just pick Simataa for the job , are you still doubtful that you are a FAZ President…Certain things Mr Kamanga you need to make quick decisions and move on…So pick your colleague Simataa and start working…
This Kamanga guy will fail lamentably. Watch this space.
????????????
The FAZ constitution is clear the General Secretary is appointed by the executive committee. This is the current position read the amended constitution of 2006 signed by Mr Teddy Mulonga as President and Brig General Musonda as General Secretary. It is only in Zambia were someone who served at higher position can apply for a lower position. Simaataa acted as FAZ President, Coach U17 now General Secretary? Has he got monopoly of football knowledge? We bound to fail to qualify for Africa Cup and World cup 2018!
Did simaata fought kalu to be FAZ general secretary? Simaata is good but it will show a bad picture. His conscious will not be free.
Kamanga will do well to leave people like Simataa he is a poisonous snake. He should try politics not football.
Kamanga will choose Simata as GS because he has no clout to stand on his own in Football. Remember he had Kabwe Warriors relegated under his chairmanship….tell us more…
As long as Kalu’s dogs remain in FAZ problems will continue. Bafyatile are only there to frustrate Kamanga. These ba Fi.ka.la mus be flushed out. Mwanunka pa matako ba swi.ne imwe.
Free advice to Kamanga. Not all management decisions have to be subjected to committee approval. You have been in senior management positions for a long time so you know what Iam talking about. Ignore this at your own peril.
@M’Zambian, don’t you know that Kazala can employ you. He is very wealthy and has lots of brain.
Mr. Simata, that job of GS is too small for you. What haven’t you done in Zambian soccer save for Minister of Sport, that you need to accomplish? Sir save your good reputation which you have earned since the time late President Michael Mwape perished with entire national team & officials when you became FAZ chief. I remember you stamping your authority on Coach Roald Poulsen whenever he tried to be funny. You better concentrate on your team like Haniff Adams rather than recycling yourself. Grade 12 started in 1983 & if you had long finished Form 5, is it not time to retire now?
@True Zambian, are you aware that we’re talking about the CEO of Zambian football? Time has come to put serious people there and Simataa is one!!!!!
Like it or not, SIMATAA is the perfect replacement for Kasengele. He has the leadership acumen, right IQ, discipline and charisma for this disoriented organization. He brings to the table a tested corporate culture that FAZ desperately needs. let us put politics out of this.
This simata guy is a problem for kamanga he will make him fail coz the guy talks a lot and he like personal attacks to whoever disagrees with him.just produce your certificate bos
Ka certificate chabe Nishimura chapwa
@24.1 Umwina Nkana
I 100% agree with you that Simata is a true & hard working servant of Zambia and even volunteered on no pay to go to Botswana to convince Fred Mwila Sr. to come back & help at the time we lost our fallen heroes. He also challenged & fought whiteman Coach Roald Poulsen, which not many of us Zambians can do. My point is he should be at the elm of policy making or advisory role just like Kalusha, Teddy Mulonga or William Harrington or club proprietor making FAZ answerable.
The issue of grade 12 is getting out of hand. Simata was at UNZA and got in based on his performance at Form 5, and his entrance at UNZA was not through “mature age”. There a lot of us on this forum who do not have “Grade 12” but have Form 5. Unfortunately, we starting to be in the minority and if we do not raise our voices, the current/ next generation will think Grade 12 is all there is. Simata we saw you at UNZA and if anybody needs witnesses, please come and post on this forum ad we will avail ourselves. ABASH IGNORANCE
I think I too have Grade 12 certificate…First let me consult my guardians