Italian coach Dario Bonetti has praised former Zambian president Rupiah Banda saying he was a great man with the love for his people.
Bonetti, the former Chipolopolo trainer who qualified Zambia to the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations which the team eventually won for the first time in history, said in the wake of a successful petition at FIFA that he had great respect for former president Rupiah Banda.
The Italian was fired in October 2011, 48 hours after leading Zambia between 2010 and 2011. He filed a complaint with FIFA demanding about US $1, 600, 000 for wrongful dismissal but FIFA has ruled that he be paid US$ 400, 000 (about K2.1 billion old currency, Kr 2, 155, 288 rebased) by FAZ.
Exclusively speaking to bolazambia from his Italy-base, Bonetti said, “ Mr Banda is a very nice person. I like him very much. I have good feeling with him. He has the love for his people.”
Bonetti said he was grateful to former president Banda and wished him well after leaving office. He said he was looking forward to an opportunity to meet president Banda in future.
He said although he had not been in direct contact with president Banda,, he remains indebted to him for playing a significant role in his coaching career.
Former president Banda is an ardent soccer fan and former FAZ vice-president who also owns Chiparamba Youth Soccer Academy. He was instrumental to FAZ engaging Bonetti as Chipolopolo after his pleading for Herve Renard to stay on following a quarterfinal finish at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations yielded little success.
“I want to thank Mr Banda for giving me an opportunity to know a great country like Zambia,” he said. “He is a great man, I have a lot of respect and love for him.”
Bonetti was saddened that Zambia were first round casualties at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
“I am very sorry for last Afcon because Zambia is a great team. It’s important that players are in good physical condition all the time,” he said.
Bonetti also said Zambia had 90 percent chance of qualifying to the 2014 World Cup in
Brazil after FIFA awarded them three points off Sudan but a draw against Lesotho last months had now complicated the mathematics because of Chipolopolo’s final round match against Ghana in Kumasi.
Asked if given an opportunity he would return to coach Chipolopolo, Bonetti responded; “Yes, I like the Zambian country and the Zambian people. In life, you never say never.”
Bonetti disclosed he left Romania after the club suffered financial difficulties last November and was back in Italy awaiting prospects of heading either to England or Scotland.
He refused to comment further on the outcome of the FIFA case saying he was awaiting the official correspondence which he expects will be delivered to his Italy base later this week.
Bonetti will be waiting for his big cheque to run all the way to the nearest bank in Italy.
BolaZambia