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Page last updated at 14:04 GMT, Sunday, 3 October 2010 15:04 UK

The Football Association of Zambia turmoil deepens

By Kennedy Gondwe
BBC Sport, Lusaka

Violet Bwalya (L) and Henshel Chitembeya
Violet Bwalya and Chitembeya have quit FAZ

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ)'s crisis has worsened after vice president Emmanuel Munaile resigned.

This comes two days after three members of the executive quit their positions citing "lack of transparency and consultation" in the way FAZ is run.

Munaile threw in the towel on Saturday claiming recent developments within the federation forced his hand.

"It has become increasingly difficult for me to continue serving given what is happening in our football," he said.

"I have decided to resign considering current developments and those that have taken place in recent months."

Even though Munaile declined to elaborate on the reasons for his resignation, his decision seems to be tied with the exit of the three committee members.

Committee members Henshel Chitembeya, Pivoty Simwanza and Violet Bwalya announced their departures on Thursday saying they had major issues with FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya's management style.

In response, Kalusha Bwalya took umbrage at the trio's departure, believing it to be symptomatic of attempts to undermine him.

The 1988 African Footballer of the Year told journalists that his management style has always been underpinned by a spirit of dialogue, reconciliation and inclusiveness.

"Unfortunately, this has been taken by some to mean weakness on my part," the FAZ president commented.

Zambia's most decorated footballer has previously expressed deep frustration at his inability to form a consensus around key issues affecting the governance of the game.

He added that it was incumbent upon all football administrators "to rise above pettiness and stop attacking individuals."



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