admin“I am not leaving the team doing badly, they are doing well with bright chances of lifting the championship though I feel sad to part ways with people I have been working with on a daily basis,” said the Zambian gaffer.
“I got a lucrative offer from Power Dynamos and going back to Zambia is good for me after learning a lot from Zimbabwean football, which is the best in the southern region.
“I am leaving my friends but I will remain part of the Hwange and FC Platinum family.”
The coach shocked many fans when he decided to return home and take charge of his former team who have three players in the Zambian national team – Mukuka Mulenga, Kennedy Mudenda and Joshua Titima.
The team, sponsored by Copperbelt Energy Company, are the defending champions and currently lie sixth in the championship race.
Chilumba arrived at FC Platinum this season and started the season on a very high note but defeats at the hands of rivals Shabanie Mine (away), Hwange (home), CAPS United(away) and draws against Highlanders (home), Harare City (home) and Monomotapa (away) resulted in a section of fans calling for his head.
He had built a good working relationship with his players and when it was announced that he was no longer part of the FC Platinum family Nelson Maziwisa, Allan Gahadzikwa, Ali Sadiki and Allan Gahadzikwa could not hold back their tears.
The atmosphere at the club resembled a funeral yesterday.
Tendai Chikuni, who finds himself being appointed as caretaker coach for the second time in as many years, wants his players to retain their focus.
Chilumba said he will miss the players.
“I had a good working relationship with the players as I had cultivated team spirit and that is why the boys cried,” said the Zambian coach.
“It was sad to depart but after a few days they will cope and life should continue after me.
“My wish is to see them lifting the league title or some silverware and then to see a number of them joining the big leagues after winning the championship.”
Chilumba had said his target, in his first season as FC Platinum boss, was to win the league championship.
Meanwhile, Lloyd Chitembwe is the favourite, among the fans, to replace Chilumba.
But it appears FC Platinum wants to invest in Norman Mapeza but that will, obviously, depend on how they negotiate for him to be released from his contract with Zifa.
Although he is contracted to Zifa, Mapeza has not been receiving his salary and the case has since spilled into the courts.
Online Reporter