Zambia’s football chief concedes defeat in election

Lusaka, March 22 (IANS) The head of Zambia's football governing body Kalusha Bwalya has conceded defeat and congratulated the winner of the election.

Bwalya lost to business executive Andrew Kamanga in the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) elections held on Saturday night after polling 156 votes against 163. The results were announced in the early hours of Sunday, reports Xinhua.

"Football is about winning and losing. I want Zambian football to win. All the best to FAZ and the new leadership," the country's soccer icon wrote in a brief statement on his Facebook page on Monday.

Bwalya has been at the helm of the country's football administration since 2008. Among some of the major achievements during his reign was Zambia's maiden win of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

The newly-elected football chief has pledged to bring transparency and accountability in the running of the game in the country.

In his maiden speech, Kamanga said his administration will not resort to retribution against the former administration but to develop football.

He said his administration will uphold the football governing body's constitution and FIFA regulations.