The Zambia women’s team heads to Durban on Thursday ahead of their grudge match against Banyana Banyana South Africa in a 2012 Olympic Games return leg qualifier.
For a Faz executive that swears by anything Fifa, I find it surprising that they have suddenly elected to abandon their faith women’s football future being in the custody of women coaches.
But the question is how much faith does Faz have in their straight-talking coach Enala Simbeya whom they have groomed for the last four years?
Faz have just roped in under-20 coach Oswald Mutapa to help Simbeya to try and turn around Banyana’s 2-1 advantage.
No insult to Mutapa but I think Simbeya is doing the best she can under challenging circumstances with her girls.
Faz forgets that Simbeya was not beaten by a man in Joseph Mkhonza standing in the opposite bench but by a better side with a rich background in women’s football despite a stuttering display from the visitors in the first leg at Nkoloma Stadium on January 15.
And Despite losing at home in the first leg a fortnight ago, Simbeya’s team has showing more discipline and direction than when she was understudy two male coaches Fredrick Kashimoto and George Chikokola.
The team also showed its level best trying to punch above their own weight against a starving but resilient Banyana whose hunger for goals cushioned their pre-match meal shenanigans that they endured at the team hotel.
Meanwhile, the prospect of psychological tension cannot be discounted going into a critical game away from home in a potential hostile environment and Simbeya should be given the wheel in the interest of team spirit in Durban.
Let us not forget that a player structure in the women’s game is on firm ground and it is time for Simbeya and her peers to chart the next phase with girl power on the bench.
Coaches are just ok, problem with our players is all they think is sex and not the game. Just cage them for two months and you will see results. Even our mens team, when they are caped at savoy hotel for instance, they sneak out in the night to chez ntemba and more so dolphin whore mongering the whole night when they have a game the following day in chililabombwe. I remember one footballer was clobbered at break point 4 this nonsense.
I think two heads are better than one. Mutapa is expected to add more technical tactics. Look at how he managed to win COSAFA U20 with a largely U17 side. While we respect Enala she needs more support. She has not been dropped from the bench. We know she is the one who has laid the foundation and we will praise her FULLY the her success. ALL THE BEST ZAMBIA!!!
Let Mutapa not overtake Enala.. She will be learning from previous defeats just like any other male coach. Let her be in full control without standing behind Mutapa.
Mr Mutapa is an experienced coach.Enala needs his support to stop the rampaging S.A girls who are also tough at home.We are behind you Enala and Good luck girls