IT IS AN ISSUE OF EGOS – Kamanga explains Fashion Sakala’s situation
FAZ president Andrew Kamanga says the absence of striker Fashion Sakala from the Chipolopolo is not so much an administration issue but that of team management.
Kamanga explained that whereas FAZ initially thought Fashion’s absence was due to estranged relationship with coach Avram Grant, the Saudi Arabia-based forward also has strained his connections with key teammates in the national team.
Below is what Kamanga said during this morning’s Hot Seat programme.
“We took a decision as an executive that we should open an inquiry because the information came out in public domain. Unfortunately, those who were expected to participate in the inquiry, including Fashion himself, did not participate.”
“Behind the scenes, attempts were made to get the two parties to resolve their issues, which I am happy to report they got to a point where they were more (or) less resolved. But unfortunately, there was another angle to it which is even a bigger a challenge. Initially, we were convinced the matter was between the coach and the player…”
“Between the coach and the player, there was almost agreement in terms of resolving the issue but then it turned out that in fact, the issues which had been raised even touched on the fellow players. So, the fellow players also have a position where they expect that their colleague is going to go back to them and make peace with them.”
“…for instance, comments were made (by Fashion) that some of the players who are given attention are those who just score tap-ins and it didn’t sit well with the rest of the team because football is a team sport.”
“So, if you say something about your colleagues, they also (feel) injured. So, this is the dynamic that now needs to be resolved. It’s not just the player and the coach; it’s now the player (Fashion) and the rest of the players. The expectations from the players; they are saying at least he (Fashion) needs to make peace with them.”
“We want to facilitate that engagement between the player and the players so that the matter is resolved. With the coach, we are almost concluded, so, there is only that element which is remaining… this is where the issue of egos is coming.”
“If he feels he owes the friends nothing, then unfortunately, we cannot be seen to be resolving. It is almost the case of ‘if the guy walks in, the rest walk out! From the outside, it looks very simple but from the inside, it is a case of persuading everyone to drop their position and get a win-win position for everyone.”
Mr.Kamanga, being the “father” of the house hold. You are being disingenious. You were playing devil’s advocate.
According to the player’s statement you were also undermining the role of the coach.
You incited this whole debacle, and encouraged the player by even suggesting that the coach “will be fired”.
Leading is about people together. Finding an impasse and just this act lone. Casts doubt in your leadership style.
It echos truth in some of the election issue that have come out lately.
Given just this, hang your boots and move on baba….
We can not have the head of an association having a conversation with a player; who to me I liken to a “child” complaining that what his “mother” has told him in a home was wrong. Its her home as well, and would not blame the coach for refusing to work with FAZ if there is any truth in this.
This is petty issue that you allowed to escalate. And if you can allow such an issue to get to this stage, you are clearly not the right person to run a national association.
Mr Mulenga, in opinion your reaction is right. Mr Kamanga must has reacted on impulse upon hearing the voice notes, and that it normal human reaction. However, when he instuted investigations by talking to the other party (Coach & some tagged players) everything changed. Yes, he is an important player for the team. In soccer you can’t play and win alone, you need the support of other 10 players. Fashion should climb off his horse and make peace with his brothers and promise not to belittle his fellow players with the way he talks and acts when he is in a team environment. Human beings are hard to manage, and their is no guideline when dealing with them.
James, Fashion had an issue with the coach. He went to the FAZ President. 1. What did the FAZ President say to him?
2. As President of FAZ were those the appropriate words to use, to respond? We are listening to both sides of a story, not just one. The Player was misled in what Kamanga said.
That is my point. You can not have entire FAZ President caught up in a conversation like this. Mr. Kamanga in his deepest of truth to himself if what the player said is the truth about Kamanga telling him that “the coach will be fired”. It is highly inappropriate a conversation to have with a player.
How does a father tell a child “Dont worry, am divorcing your mother”.
It shows a lack of respect ler alone decorum or ettiquette for the Coach.
How then do you expect players to respect the coach. To begin with, he should just told the player. I hear you. Give me a moment to consult. End of conversation and involved the technical bench/appropriate parties to address what seemed to be a difference between the player and the coach.
Lastly, Is there any truth in the statement that the coach was colluding with an Isreali agent? If so then the issue needed to be addressed. We want the best players on the pitch. Not mingalato and shananigans of favoritism and the likes. We have often complained about the standards of football falling. Mr. Kamanga seems to have thrown an issue (if there is truth in what Sakala says) under the rug.
Too many issues cropping that taint whatever good the Kamanga administration did. Its just time he hung his boots. If Sakala has a problem, rest assure you. It will come up again. And we will know he is a problem. Right now, Kamanga handled this whole issue badly. If I was him I would bow down and walk away before we learn of even more embarassing incidents.
FAZ seems to have some deep seated problems. Remember what HH said at the function he held at the of the year to thank the Sports men and women.
He asked FAZ to meet with the Ministry of Sports official to clean up the finances at FAZ. The Ministry at the time said monies for the expat coaches was being paid. But we read of FAZ being sue or summoned by FIFA for not paying former and current coach. An emarassing situation.
What became of that issue? We also read of situations when players are not paid. Why? So you may want to point out that Sakala is a problem. But there is also a problem at FAZ. This is why I speak of leadership. Mr. Kamanga can not claim to run a tight ship with all these issues. He has failed to deal with them. These have been going on for a while. So when this issue of Sakala comes up, to me its just a tip of the “iceburg”. The elections have become an issue. Why? All this points to someone who wants to hold on to something yet its slipping through his hands. Too many issues.
Kamanga seems like a successful and talented accoutant. Let him focus on that. Time to hang the “boots”