By Kennedy Gondwe BBC Sport, Lusaka

Bwalya says he should be given time to make an impact

Zambia's technical director Kalusha Bwalya says he will combine his current job with his vice-presidential position of the country's football association.

Bwalya was declared unopposed for the Football Association of Zambia's (Faz)vice-president's job, ahead of the 31 January elections.

Marcha Chilemena, his only challenger was disqualified on constitutional grounds.

Football commentators in the country have questioned the wisdom of Bwalya having a dual role but the 1988 African Footballer of the Year says there is nothing abnormal about the situation.

I have a lot to offer to this nation Kalusha Bwalya

Bwalya will be in charge of the Chipolopolo in Sunday's friendly match against Zimbabwe.

"I think I have a lot to offer to this nation and I hope the people will judge us after the four-year term," Bwalya told a press briefing in Lusaka on Monday.

"I would have liked to have a challenger so that we fight for the position but my colleague [Chilemena] has been disqualified.

I have already spoken with him and he's ready to work with me.

"Zambia were once a force to be reckoned with in Africa and we want to get back to that status," Bwalya said.

The former Zambia captain said his main objective would be to use his influence at international level to re-organise the sport.

He said he would ensure that he attracted sponsorship for the domestic league and national teams.

Although the outgoing Faz president Evaristo Kasunga has attributed the failure of the outgoing executive to the country's ailing economy, Bwalya is confident that the country can regain its pride of place in the African game.

"Football is at the crossroads in Zambia that is why I think there's a need for reconciliation with all the stakeholders.