-Nkana FC have parted ways with head coach Kenneth “Bubble” Malitoli.
The Faz division 1 north leaders have decided against renewing Malitoli’s contract for another six months due to budgetary problems at the club.
Technical advisor Beston Chambeshi is set to take over the reigns although he has been linked with a move back to Botswana with an unnamed top-flight club there.
Malitoli has been in charge at Nkana since January when he took over from Jericho Shinde after the latter’s contract was not renewed by the club.
Malitoli leaves Nkana after a flying start for the club this season that saw them mount a 13-match unbeaten run to open-up a 14 point lead from March until May.
That was all before Nkana begun their spectacular fall following violent scenes when Kalewa beat them 1-0 in a week 14 game on May 25 in Kitwe.
The incident subsequently led to Faz handing Nkana a 14-month ban from playing all their competitive home matches anywhere in Kitwe, Kalulushi and Chambishi.
Nkana have since then collected just two points from their last five games after the ban.
They have since then seen their runaway lead cut to just two points after 2nd placed Chambishi beat them 2-0 away on Sunday.
The record 11-time league champions have been in Faz division 1 north since they were relegated for the first time in their history in 2004 and have yet to return to the top-flight since then.
-Elsewhere in football news, two Faz Premier League games will be played tomorrow Wednesday, June 27.
Both games are delayed Week 17 matches and will see leaders Zesco travel to Chililabombwe to face freefalling Konkola Blades in 8th place while 4th from top Green Buffaloes welcome Roan United in 11th position at Independence stadium in Lusaka.
-And in boxing, Esther Phiri’s opponent in this Saturdays GBU Women’s Super Featherweight fight at Woodlands Stadium Radostina Valcheva of Bulgaria has arrived in the country.
The Bulgarian arrived six hours ahead of schedule this morning at 06:30 hrs at Lusaka International Airport from Sofia via London.
Phiri and Valcheva will come face-to-face with each other for the first time on Wednesday morning during an official press briefing at the Holiday Inn in Lusaka.
Mwebantu ba kwa mulungu, shifwayeni ulupiya muleke malitoli akonkanyepo pakuti kalampa akalete umulilo mu premier league
Firing Bubble is not a solution,besides quick silver and bubble have both had several chances at coaching Nkana. Changing will not produce any different results.
Retain both Bubble and quicksilver and concertrate on ensuring that this bad spell is overcome
Oooh my goodness! what on earth is awfully wrong with stupid zambin football clubs officials? I predict doom for the zambian football. Officials at Nkana have already forgotten the smiles that Malitoli brought to Nkana fans- 13 match unbeaten run! I respect Malitoli, even Esparance Football club officials regard him in high esteem. Whoever takes over from Kenneth will not achieve what Ken “Bubble” did. Two clubs will be promoted to the premier division, I can bet on Chambeshi Fc and Afrisports, that is when the foolish officials will come begging for kenneth. He has a family. Good luck kenneth in your endeavours God will open the door for you. Every coach at Nkana is bad- Ben Banfuchile, Jericho Shinde, Beston Chambeshi, Patrick Phiri, Kenneth Malitoli ??????
I want to add my voice to those who are of the view that Malitoli should stay at Nkana.
I wish Nkana Fans could pressure the officials pa Chilata to rescind their decision.
Long Live Malitoli!
Long Live Kalampa!
Long Live Nkana!
Let the officials come out with the truth What ‘Budgetary problems’ why wasn’t Kenneth allowed to continue as Head Coach then Beston released.The team has done wlll with Bubble in-charge. Changing Coaches wont solve the problem i agree with #3, i dont see our beloved Kalampa getting back where the have belonged for years. This team has so much history in Zambian football it is like ‘the Juvetus of Zambian football.
Long Live Kalampa!
Long Live Pa Chilata!
Man i miss those days of Jericho Shinde,D.Mutale (kabubulu),Late J.Kalusa,Late K.Mulenga,Late M.Chabala the man that brought the Mighty indomitable Cameroon to its knees with a hatrick.Man our National soccer team was feared. Wil we ever go back to those days only God knows and only Him can help us.
Castigated club, one year ban over stadium use, firing a performing coach. Shame!!!
i would assume the “budgetary constraints” have come about as a result of the home game ban.Possibly the club, in view of lost revenue, could not guarantee the wages of the coaching staff. My disgust is twofold….are FAZ thinking right? Do they expect any club to survive financially after such a heavy handed punishment??Not even Manchester United could survive with a ban for half that period!!! Faz continue to make elementary administrative mistakes to the detriment of football in general.Secondly, surely Kalampa mgt. should have fought tooth and nail to keep an obviously successful coaching team.Changing coaches is not always the solution…..ask Real Madrid after they fired Vincente Del Bosque!!!We need to seriously and urgently look at the competency of our national football administrators otherwise the glory of yesteryear will remain a dream!!!