Zambia football association continues to crumble as VP resigns
Vice President Emmanuel Munaile has resigned from his position at the Football Association of Zambia.
His decision comes after three leading officials handed in their resignation from their positions within the association, which represents the 74th ranked team in the world.
"It has become increasingly difficult for me to continue serving given what is happening in our football," Munaile said.
"I have decided to resign considering current developments and those that have taken place in recent months," added the vice president.
Munaile’s resignation follows that of committee members Henshel Chitembeya, Pivoty Simwanza and Violet Bwalya. They announced that they were leaving the football association last week after holding a press
conference in Lusaka.
The officials blamed a "lack of transparency and consultation”.
Most of the friction within the FAZ has to do with president Kalusha Bwalya (no relation to Violet Bwalya).
Kalusha Bwalya has refused to accept claims that his leadership is undemocratic and he has stated that he has always delegated power. The 1998 African player of the year believes that
he has had a good working relationship with all the officials within the FAZ and that it was officials within the association that were causing mischief.
"Unfortunately, this has been taken by some to mean weakness on my part," Kalusha Bwalya said.
The president of FAZ said it was critical that all football administrators “rise above the pettiness and stop attacking individuals.”
The resignation of Munaile could not have come at a worse time for Kalusha Bwalya, whose position is now even more precarious.
Munaile’s decision will put further pressure on Bwalya who is likely to have to confirm his position after another high profile resignation. Many of Bwalya’s critics now believe that the
former Zambian international’s position is untenable and that he should resign from his position immediately.
Kalusha Bwalya is expected to issue a statement regarding his future at the FAZ in the next few days.
Tags: