CAN ‘CHICKEN’ FLY UNITED OUT OF THE ABYSS?

“I am a very ambitious person and a disciplinarian. I am not afraid, to say the truth, because these factors have brought me success in my entire career. Feel free and don’t fear me. I am positive we can do this together and take this club forward.

“Remember history should not remember you for having destroyed ZESCO United. Remember that what you do here and where you take the team sticks with you forever.”

These were George Lwandamina’s words when he met ZESCO United players for the first time since he was appointed club head coach.

Nobody could have envisaged the story that has unfolded at ZESCO United since the start of the 2022/23 football season four months ago. 

An early exit from the CAF Confederations Cup, erratic results in the league, the departure of Mumamba Numba, and the return of George Lwandamina as head coach two years after partying ways with the nine-times Zambian Super League champions.

This is a narrative that neither Numba nor Lwandamina could have imagined after the two men traded seats two years ago. 

Lwandamina’s second return to ZESCO United delivered back-to-back league titles in 2017 and 2018 adding to his fourth with the club after winning the 2014, and 2015 championship in his first spell making him the most successful coach to manage the Ndola based league outfit.

The 2020 outbreak of the global pandemic, Covid19 would have huge ramifications on football globally with the Zambian game not spared. 

Lwandamina’s 2019/20 league campaign would take a downward spiral with the club failing to go past the Group stages of the CAF Champions league.

The rise in Covid19 cases would force the Zambian FA to end the league prematurely sealing Lwandamina’s fate after the club finished outside the top four for the first time in eight years, missing out on CAF inter-club competitions the following season.

ZESCO United management decided to look to a man who could at least come inches closer to Lwandamina’s success both at the domestic and international levels.

Like Lwandamina, Numba had had a successful spell at Zanaco qualifying them for CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup group stages and delivering a league title for the bankers.

Numba would quickly raise the standards at ZESCO United winning the club’s ninth league title. His first in his debut season. 

History, unfortunately, could not repeat itself in his second season at the helm which saw ZESCO United exit the CAF Champions League in the first round, finishing second in the 2021/22 league campaign which was subsequently won by Red Arrows.

A wobbly start to the 2022/23 league campaign compounded with an early exit from CAF Confederations Cup would mark the end of a love affair between club and coach which started on a high.

With ZESCO United needing urgent surgery, club management decided to renew their vows with the veteran coach entering a third marriage in nine years.

Lwandamina’s return to ZESCO United presents arguably a different challenge for the seasoned coach who will be expected to administer the best therapy to lift the club from its current woes.

ZESCO United sits four places from the drop zone with 20 points while league leaders Power Dynamos have so far amassed 32 points. He further bounces back to a much-changed ZESCO United side from the one he left in his last spells.

Enock Sakala, Alfred Leku, and Vincent Oburu are the current talismen for the Ndola-based league giants, replacing Jesse Were, David Molinga, Quadri Kola, and Winston Kalengo.

Kelvin Kapumbu, Donashano Malama, Songa Chipyoka, Luwawa Kasoma, Kezironi Kizito, Samuel Sikaonga, Collins Sikombe, and Mukuka Chanda are some of the players who have taken the place of Kondwani Mtonga, Misheck Chaile, and Mwape Mwelwa.

In defense, Rodrick Kembo, Jack Ngulube, and Samson Mkandawire have joined Lwandamina’s trusted men in Clement Mwape, Adrian Chama, Simon Silwimba, and Fackson Kapumbu.

There has also been a facelift in ZESCO United’s goalkeeping department with Cyril Chibwe and Gregory Sanjase replacing retired veteran shot-stopper and current goalkeeper trainer, Jacob Banda.

The new look ZESCO United side will need to quickly adjust from the lighthearted Numba to the larger-than-life figure of Lwandamina.

As professed in his opening remarks to the squad earlier today, Lwandamina is a sure winner whose success over the years has largely been due to his ability to command authority on and off the pitch while imposing a football blueprint that is attractive to the eye. The rule of thumb for players is to always follow and respect his commandments.

It is this ethos that has made ‘Chicken’ George the country’s most successful coach at the domestic and continental levels in the last two decades. It is something he can never trade with anything else.

“I think you know where we took ZESCO United during my time here. I feel we can do it again. I am happy to be back here because I feel we still have unfinished business. I spoke to them(players) about the need to return that fearful tag that we had both at the local and international levels.

“This is not about me only but about a system that works together, pulling in the same direction. It is the players, management, technical bench, sponsors, and supporters working together then success will follow,” he said.

While Lwandamina acknowledges that a lot has changed at the club since his departure, he does recognize the potential and talent in the current squad to deliver titles.

“The most important thing for them is to be ambitious and disciplined. I expect that from them because that’s what breeds success. If they can have the appetite to play for the national team and become professionals, then we can improve.

“I know a lot has changed here. I also believe we have just missed the part where we need to inculcate responsibilities in them so that they also understand that ZESCO United is the most feared team. Today any team feels like they can beat us. We need to change this narrative.”

With ZESCO United facing Forest Rangers in Saturday’s Ndola derby, one hopes Lwandaminas presence will invoke the teams winning spirit.

“ZESCO United has everything. It is a big brand that I helped build as such I am part of it. I need to protect it from going down. Everyone here will be expected to work towards that goal. These players know exactly what I expect from them. No one will relax here because they know Chicken George.”

Author: Desmond Katongo