Zambianfootball.net

Zambia coach Renerd Herve says he will draw some inspiration during his tenure with Ghana to qualify for their debut World Cup appearance in 2010 to be hosted in South Africa.

Herve,until his appointment as Chipolopolo coach was assistant coach and physical trainer of Ghana for two years under departing coach,Claude Le Roy.

He will lead Zambia in their opening 2010 joint Nations Cup/World Cup qualifier against Togo in Accra-a field he played on with the Black Stars during the recently held Nations Cup-due to Togo’s international home ban.

”To be fair with you,my whole stay in Ghana I was enjoying here,I was assistant coach of a fantastic team.The level of the Ghana team is not the same as the level of Zambia,”Herve told Ghanasoccernet.com

“But for me it’s a fantastic opportunity to be head coach even the team is not the best but very good in Africa.

The Frenchman is counting on his knowledge on the Togolese acquired during his stint with Ghana to help him get a favourable results.

“Yes I know the team because I watched the last game for the qualification of the Africa Cup of Nations against Mali in Togo.We played against Togo in Top 4 tournament when i was Ghana so I know the team.

“You know the best player of the team,it’s not difficult to know the player because Adebayor is fantastic striker maybe to top 10 best striker in the world. But I think we have a good team to get a good result.”

Probable line Up.

K.Mweene, W.Chinyama, B.Mwanza, Chintu.K, J.Musonda, R.Kalaba, F.Katongo, C.Mulenga, E.Mayuka, C.Katongo.

Substitutes:Kalililo Kakonje, C.Sichiondwe, Sanida Zulu, Nyambe Mulenga, K.Mudenda, R.Kola, J.Chamanga

Zambia national soccer team coach Herve Renard has said that clubless striker Collins ‘Ntonfotonfo’ Mbesuma, 25, hasn’t yet regained his fitness after spending a large chunk of the campaign on the sidelines due to a niggling knee injury and out of favour at his former base in Turkey.

Renard acknowledged Mbesuma’s seniority status in the Chipolopolo camp and called him for a one-on-one chat.

“I called him when he arrived here in Ghana. I told him that ‘don’t be offended if I don’t use you in the Togo match’. Collins is not yet fit and I don’t think he can contribute positively in a crucial international match,” the Frenchman told the Times of Zambia in a telephone interview.

With the former Amakhosi striker content with a place on the bench, exciting 17-year old Kabwe Warriors Emmanuel Mayuka looks set to partner skipper, Chris Katongo, 26, upfront ahead of James Chamanga, 28, and red hot, Roger Kola, 18.

2007 CAF Young Player of Year Clifford Mulenga, 21, will slot on the left flank with Portugal bound Rainford Kalaba, 22, on the right. The other option is Power Dynamos’ live wire Kennedy Mudenda. Mudenda has mesmerized home fans with tricky footwork and pace during the CHAN qualifiers and this should be the perfect platform for the 20-year old to show his credentials at international level.

Ghana 2008 Afcon revelation and now based in France, Felix The ‘ginger prince’ Katongo, 24, will be the architect in the engine room alongside Isaac ‘Gattuso’ Chansa, 25, of Swedish side Helsingborg.

Chansa’s position in the middle of the pack will be key.

The back four has already picked itself though its not yet known who will get the nod for the right full back between William Chinyama and Clive Sichiondwe.

The Golden Arrows duo of Billy Mwanza, 25, and Joseph Musonda, 30, are certain of a starting berth alongside Chintu Kampamba, 29,(pictured) to protect goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene, 24, from the threat of Emmanuel Adebayor and co.

For the first time, the Chipolopolo have had the best preparation and build up. Zambia drew 2-2 against Libya and lost 3-2 to Iran. For Togo the preparations has been hit by wrangles.

Probable line Up.

K.Mweene, W.Chinyama, B.Mwanza, Chintu.K, J.Musonda, R.Kalaba, F.Katongo, C.Mulenga, E.Mayuka, C.Katongo.

Substitutes:Kalililo Kakonje, C.Sichiondwe, Sanida Zulu, Nyambe Mulenga, K.Mudenda, R.Kola, J.Chamanga

Bafana Bafana and Blackburn rovers striker Benni McCarthy has pointed out to last year’s 3-1 loss to Zambia as the worst game of his illustrious career.

McCarthy who made his debut in 1997 and has scored 30 international goals for the rainbow nation told Kickoff magazine when quizzed about his worst and best game he has played in.

“The Nations Cup qualifier in Cape Town last year when we lost 3-1 to Zambia was my worst.

“My best is undoubtedly the 2004 Champions League quarterfinal, first leg against Manchester United. I scored a brace and we went on to win the competition,” confessed the former Ajax (Holland), Celta Vigo (Spain) and Porto (Portugal)

In September 2007, a Christopher ‘Tsunami’ Katongo hatrick in the first 20 minutes gave Zambia a vital win over the arch rivals.

McCarthy got the consolation goal for Bafana Bafana. The 30 year old was kept quite by tough-tackling Billy Mwanza.