FA Statement regarding Collins Mbesuma

Here is a statement from Kalusha Bwalya who is Technical Director and Vice President of The Football Association of Zambia regarding the reports made in press about our striker Collins Mbesuma. This statement exonerates him from the reports made before the World Cup qualifying game against Senegal at the weekend.

RE: Collins Mbesuma Newspaper Report From 'The Post'.

With regards to the above I would like to place on record the true version as follows;

On Wednesday afternoon Collins went to watch his old club Roane United Football Cub play and address his old team mates in the change room.

At the stadium where he watched the game a few unruly fans questioned his absence from National Team Camp given the importance of the impending World Cup Qualifying match.

When the fans realised Collins was present the police escort was necessary given Colins' popularity in Zambia.

He reported to National Team duty on Wednesday early evening and explained and apologised for being slightly late. An apology I accepted.

He reported to camp fully sober which was witnessed by my entire technical staff. The media reports that he was found drinking are false.

We have noticed the reporting medium, 'The Post' is particularly revengeful towards Collins because he rejected their invitation to attend a farewell party they had set up for him prior to his leaving for the UK to Portsmouth.

We find the reports as published and widely syndicated by 'The Post' deplorable and have reprimanded the journalist in question for the damage he has cause to both the player in question and the association as a whole.

From the three daily newspapers in Zambia, 'The Post' was the only to report this potentially destabilizing story.

Collins forms a key part of our National Team and his performance on Saturday against Senegal was excellent.

As the National coach, any form of indiscipline is unaccepted and we are quick to react when a player behaves badly.

Collins played the full 90 minutes and I was satisfied with his performance.

I hope the above puts paid to false reports and exposes the amateurish journalism which takes place in Zambia on a daily basis.