I’m not the right person to ask about the national team squad selection because I’m only a FAZ president and not the coach, says Andrew Kamanga.
His statement comes after receiving numerous quarries on the FAZ Facebook page as well as call-in sports programmes on named, inquiring why certain players were left out of the 24-man squad picked to face Guinea Bissau next Wednesday.
“It is strange that people will post questions about the national team squad directed at me when the coach said everything he needed to have said at Wednesday’s press briefing. I do not get involved in the selection of the starting 11 or any other selection. That is why we have a coach. Right now people should just be in their supporting moods and see to it that we give morale to whoever is going to start the game,” Kamanga said.
“I do not know whether the media decided to ignore the information we gave during the Barclays Cup launch in August. The Sports minister and I made it clear that the national team was not our baby. We do not for anything decide who is called for the national team, who should be on the starting eleven or anything related. Please see to it that people also have access to such information so that we are not judged.”
When national team coach Sven Vandenbroeck made known of a 24 man squad to play against Guinea Bissau on 10th October, soccer fans indicated they did not want Fashion Sakala to be on the starting eleven citing his inability to utilise scoring chances.
And Kamanga has issued a warning to unauthorised traders that are fond of buying tickets in bulk and later selling them at exorbitant prices to desist from the act.
“This game will closely be monitored by FIFA and CAF so we do not want irregularities of any kind. Unscrupulous businessmen and women are warned not to buy tickets in bulk and later sell them at exorbitant prices as it is against the law. We also expect fans to handle themselves in a good manner and not engage in any kind of disturbing behaviour,” advised Kamanga.