
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Communications Officer Erick Mwanza says it is wrong for people to assert that National Team Coach Herve Renard applied for a job in Tanzania.
Mwanza said it was unfortunate that despite the coach stating categorically that he has not held any kind of negotiations with any team, people are still speculating about his future.
He said it was important that people learn to tell the truth and not just make assumptions.
Mwanza said Renard was a forthright and honest man who he said had good communication with the country’s soccer governing body and could not do anything without consulting FAZ officials.
The FAZ Communications Officer told a press briefing in Lusaka today that there was nothing wrong with Renard been ambitious and wanting to scale up his coaching profile, saying it was within his rights to do.
He said it was normal that after putting up a splendid performance at the just ended 2010 Orange Africa cup of nations that many teams could be courting him for his services, adding that Renard had no control over that aspect.
Renard and his Assistant coach Patrice Baumelle are currently in France for a two weeks leave and are expected back into the country soon.
Mwanza disclosed that Chipolopolo assistant coach Patrice Baumelle who is also the teams physical trainer, left the country on Saturday while Head Coach Herve Renard left the country on Monday, this week.
And Mwanza has said FAZ would seek quality friendlies for the Chipolopolo boys during the international friendly games scheduled to commence on March 3.
He explained that good friendlies will help keep the team and players in good shape and give the technical bench an opportunity to access and try different players so that the team continues to improve its FIFA rankings.
Mwanza also said FAZ will do everything possible to assist Chipolopolo Midfielder Rainford Kalaba in whatever way it can for the player to join his new club, Zamalek.
He said it was important for the player’s future as well as the nation that the player is at his club and is playing.
Meanwhile, Mwanza has disclosed that the inspection of stadiums and other playing grounds on the Copperbelt have successfully been concluded and that the inspection team is now in Lusaka and would conduct the same exercise from today (Wednesday) up to Friday.
FAZ has also expressed optimism that Zambia’s envoys in this year’s Orange CAF Champions League Zanaco Football Club would put up a splendid performance against Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) of Uganda.
“As FAZ we are optimistic that Zanaco FC will do well. The team left the country in high spirit and we are sure they will post a good result against their rivals”, he said.
He called on soccer fans all over the country to rally behind the team so that the players can be motivated to focus and work hard on the pitch.
ZANIS