Forest Rangers Football Club coach Ian Bakala says he has no explanation for the decision by the Ndola-based club to allow Clifford Mulenga to leave the squad and be part of the ongoing 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN) team of match commentators in Algeria.
Mulenga, who has an active contract with Rangers, was chosen by CAF to join three other African football legends, including John Paintsil of Ghana, Siaka Tiene of the Ivory Coast, and Nouredinne Bounaas of Algeria, as part of CAF’s team of TV commentators for the CHAN tournament, which got underway on January 13.
However, in a post-match interview yesterday, Bakala, whose team is third in the Zambian Super League standings with 31 points, denied being involved in the club’s and the former Chipolopolo player’s choice to leave for CAF commentary responsibilities while the league in underway.
“On that, I can’t explain because on that as a coach I’m not involved. He’s the one to answer that,” Bakala told Journalists after Forest Rangers 1-1 draw with Kabwe Warriors in Ndola.
Bakala said the absence of Mulenga will not be felt because there are other players on the team who are available and capable of doing the job.
He continued by saying that the club needed to be prepared to play without the veteran because even reliable players can be out if injured.
“There are players that can fit in, though today they did not come to the show,” he said. “He (Clifford) may be one of us in the team, he can get injured also.”
“He went, and we can’t do anything; we just have to be focused on the players who are here,” concluded Bakala.
In the absence of Mulenga, Bakala handed newly signed midfielder Monday Bwalya his full debut as he came in place of Mulenga.
However, the former Buildcon midfielder was replaced by Robson Phiri in the 38th minute as Fole Malembe trailed Kabwe Warriors 1-0 thanks to a goal from Bartuel Tembo in the 13th minute.
Moyela Libamba’s successful penalty kick in the 43rd minute brought the home team back into the game after Warriors handled the ball in the box.
Following a 0-3 loss to the Green Buffaloes at Chambishi Football Club on Saturday afternoon, Forest Rangers drew 1-1 with Kabwe Warriors and climbed to third place.
READ MORE: ‘Forest Rangers will still win without me’- Clifford Mulenga
Meanwhile, Mulenga told BolaNews that Rangers will be fine without him and that they have enough quality players to challenge for the title in his absence.
“I will miss Forest Rangers football club. Fortunately, I leave the club knowing that there is enough depth in the team, we have good quality and good additions, I believe in the boys, and I know they will carry on doing the job without me, and we have a very good coach (Ian Bakala) who is doing a very good job,” said Mulenga.
“I will miss the team but am not worried about how they perform because I know they are going to fight and do well.”
