Augustine Mukoka
Mwepu and Emmanuel Banda Spat Speaks Of Deep-Seated Disunity
The cameras missed it!
Many an eye in the stadium caught it.
I am reliably informed, since I was relying on cameras, that midfielder Emmanuel Banda and skipper Enock Mwepu had visible disagreement on the pitch during the Zambia v Comoros Africa Cup qualifying match.
That disagreement arose after Banda had passed the ball to Mwepu who, seemingly as a result of a lack of concentration, lost possession. A displeased Emmanuel approached his team captain who didn’t take take the reproach kindly and things degenerated into an ugly scene.
For some reason, it was calmed down but it was bad I am told.
I hoped to see an article in the media either quoting Mwepu or Emmanuel as to what happened. I have seen none.
Well, let me be the first one who (hopefully) didn’t see but has been adequately briefed by people I can’t doubt.
Of course, I am disappointed in my fellow sports journalists for denying Zambians an opportunity to be informed.
I am informed this incident was visible to many, including journalists in the stadium.
It’s a snippet of the challenges our team is facing; deep-seated disunity and the lack of leadership. These are some of the reasons that may cause our failure to feature at AfCON 2023.
There’s a lot of information emerging out of camp that is glossed over by us sports journalists, bloggers, belly-based analysts and credible analysts alike.
It makes me wonder if this is why a lad like Fashion Sakala would have the guts to even say journalists in Zambia are beggars, a damning (but perhaps true) allegation to our profession.
But if we can’t call out such unacceptable behavior by the likes of Mwepu or Emmanuel, it leaves our profession vulnerable to allegations of compromise especially that known journalists beg for Kopa replicas from FAZ and selfies with players and their jerseys.
Seats on chartered planes, eWallet and air time have completely impaired our coverage of those who dispense with such freebies to us. How then can you objectively cover your sources like this if they are found wanting?
The fact that Mwepu and Emmanuel are big stars, play in Europe does not make them immuned to correction.
Leaving the situation as is makes the likes of Mwepu and Emmanuel feel like demigods; as if they are omnipotent.
Mwepu should know and understand that being a leader does not make you a boss on the pitch, but a servant of the team.
If Mwepu had made a mistake – which is human as we all do – he should have acknowledged and calmed the situation. Emmanuel has every right to call his captain to order if he deemed it fit. There was absolutely no need for Mwepu to take offense.
Zambia does not belong to a single individual no matter their skill, riches or contribution. We all have a responsibility to contribute to its success in whatever form.
This animosity must be addressed to encourage team unity and cohesion for a complete and successful Chipolopolo.