HR: There’s a complex against West African teams

• Friday, February 27, 2009, 14:11
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Zamfoot has written 1909 stories on this site.

71 Comments on “HR: There’s a complex against West African teams”

• 
  AS wrote on 27 February, 2009, 14:39

  For the first time, I will agree with HR.Its typical of most Zambian players and even ordinary citizens.For players, remember the game against Cameroon where we boggled up everything out of nothing than fear for our opponents’ stars.

  For ordinary citizens, Zambians are known to give too much respect for foreigners. Even a nonentity will be feared in Zambia. We are too timid, and coz of our inferiority complex, we always fail to challenge foreigners or rather believe everything foreign is better than Zambian. Its all crazy. We need to believe in ourselves and not waging in tails when you hear that Samuel Eto is in the Cameroonian team, even when he does nothing, you fall off. Tell them off HR.
• 
  jeff windhoek wrote on 27 February, 2009, 14:43

  kaleza wai lasa HR.people in zed need to change this mentality of kuyopa bazungu.Thats outdated.
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  Anonymous wrote on 27 February, 2009, 15:12

  AS i agree with you in saying Zambians in general do give TOO much respect to foreigners, but i think its the SIZE which was intimidatory to the guys during the senegal game. i was watching the game at JAZZ club and when they were showing the players lined up for the national anthems most of us were shoched at the difference in STATURE. i remember 1 fellow saying ” Where were these men for the slave traders to have missed them”. for the players to say they were not able to see the strikers its means they were being shodowed by the “big bodies” of the senegalise.
• 
  Whisper wrote on 27 February, 2009, 15:20

  AS and Jeff, you are completely right. We need to develop a national identity that promotes the FACT that Zambian’s are able to compete with foreigners. However, the coach himself should look in the mirror. He is the one who said that Ghana is the best team, he is the one who is saying that we should have lost the match. Does he think statements like that (even if he says different behind closed doors) helps the players overcome the feeling of fear?

  I have said it twice in the previous thread, we didn’t play badly! Infact I would say we matched amasene pretty well. I think the shots on goal/on target were around the same, as was the corner count. They had more controlled possession, but we weren’t played off the park.
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  KK11 wrote on 27 February, 2009, 15:32

  Renard hit it right on the nail! We are always frightened or star struck by west africans! The Eto’s,Diouf,Adebayor or Drogba. These are just men us, but we give them too much defference and this leads to a timid attitude and subsequent defeat. That’s what happened at the last AFCON againt the lions, when they played us they had Swagger cause they knew they would beat us. I remember b4 the teams came out in the tunnel the body language was vey telling and at that moment I knew we were done. I think Renard is the best thing to happen to us soccer wise cause the guy calls em how he see’s em!You can’t teach confidence or passion, its either u have it or u don’t. If this is the attitude we take with Egypt then we might as well call it a day and stay home.
• 
  Vincent Numbwa wrote on 27 February, 2009, 15:41

  I dont believe this complex being talked about by HR and fans above is the couse for Zambia’s poor showing in the game against Senagal.

  Ivory cosat is also in west africa just like seneagal are we saying this complex feeling is selective or what? Mr kaira, big man there r no bazungu’s in the Senagal team and almost all west african countries national teams.

  The main reason for our poor game against Senegal is that we lucked Technical approach to counter the physical game that senegal had. They closed up our spaces and could hardly allow aour players to touch the ball un challenged while our player did the opposite.

  To be honest if there is any one who needs to change his mentality it is HR. This inferiority complex in not there, it is in effect HR who has started planting it in the player. How on earth, does one justfy Comments like we “We should have lost”, “Ghana is the best team” from a coach. ALmost All players at CHAN are nobodies playing in there local leagues what is this complex nosense we are trying to dress players with.
• 
  Vincent Numbwa wrote on 27 February, 2009, 15:54

  Sorry MR Kaira i meant Jeff. You both from those ends.
• 
  Dinamo wrote on 27 February, 2009, 16:04

  I agree with HR but I think confidence building in our players has to start with him.In 1991 when Power were preparing to play BCC Lions of Nigeria in the Mandela cup final,Fred Mwila snr who was the then team manager kept on telling the team that there was nothing special about the Nigerians.I remember him saying “Guys fimibili fye ba kwata ama West Africans otherwise game tapaba.Alex(Chola) na Peter (Kaumba)can tell you how they sorted them out ku Africa cup yamu 82.Wisdom(Chansa) has played with them many times ask him baiche aba,ngamwakosa you will even score over 7 goals”.These were encouraging words & for sure Power beat a Nigerian side 6-4 on aggregate to lift what is believed to be the only major trophy tn have been won by Zambia.So if HR is going to continue rating the West Africa better than his team,the complex he is talking about will never cease.
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  Georgia Russia wrote on 27 February, 2009, 16:22

  good point hr,remeber during the kalu days,certains teams were scared to play and they would loose the match before it was even played.that kind of thinking shud change among our players.
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  Georgia Russia wrote on 27 February, 2009, 16:25

  good point hr,remeber during the kalu days,certains teams like swazi,bostwana,malawi,ivory coast,moroco,nigeria and tazania were scared to play zambia and they would loose the match before it was even played.that kind of thinking shud change among our players.
  @Georgia Russia
• 
  BuzzEd wrote on 27 February, 2009, 16:36

  Absolutely correct! In addition, the problem has become more complex than just fear. Monsieur HR, Zambia has a tendency to disappoint especially when you expect a good result from them. This can be against any team and not just the West Africans. It is the biggest problem with the chipolopolo. Although I hate looking back into the past, allow me to say that only in the 1990’s and before was the team predictable and more consistent in terms of results.

  Usually, the situation now is that when you write them off and expect nothing from them, then they will surprise you and can beat even the mightiest. The moment you put your hopes and expectations on them, their technical and mental fortitude crumble like a cookie under pressure.

  How do you explain that? I think what we have lost in our modern team is the sense of pride the teams of the ’90’s and before them had. In those days, it was an honor for any player to done a Zambian jersey. It was an honor to play at the Independence Stadium where for a decade we were unbeatable at home no matter what African team you threw at them. And for the players, it was the highest achievement to wear a Zambian jersey and play for the national team. The competition at national level was so tough that when selected, players played with awe and aplomb. They played for pride and played with great commitment to the cause. Sometimes you watch the current chipolopolo and get the feeling they don’t put in a 110% into their performances. The kind of school boy errors we see in defense these days is so atypical of the Zambian defense when compared to the Samuel Chomba, Eston Mulenga or Elijah Litan and Harrison Chongo in their heydays. Of course, the team of the 90’s never won major trophies but they played and lost with honor and that is why the fans appreciated their efforts and regard them in high esteem. Case in point, Morocco vs Zambia 1993 word cup qualification, Zambia vs Nigeria 1994 Africa cup final. Zambia lost both of those games but they put on a splendid performance. Fast forward to the current chipolopolo which lives most Zambian fans frustrated is that they lose without giving in a 110% of their capabilities despite having the potential excel. The lack of commitment, dedication and concentration to achieve a goal much greater then their individual ambitions is killing our team. A coach who will be able to restore those core values of dedication, pride, discipline and commitment to the team will be very successful and achieve great things for Zambian football! That is a challenge for you monsieur Herve Renard.
• 
  Mabbwana wrote on 27 February, 2009, 16:36

  Vincent I cudnt wait to get to the coment part coz I dont undastand why pipo shud side wit HR on this. The coach is the 1 who has bn beating drums of inferiority every Zambians ear now he wants to say its a Zambian complex? We beat IC without any sign of being timid. HR should jst admit that he was out done by his Seoegalese counterpart.
• 
  Uncle Bobs wrote on 27 February, 2009, 16:41

  Awe kwena bane, fyonse namusosa and i couldn’t agree more. Dinamo, Ba Fred i recently found him Pa Napsa club and i got him a few drinks in the company of Desmond Mugawa. We really had a good laugh when i recited all those “Insoselo” attributed to him like:

  *Kabiye to Nkana eko bafunda bola, kuno tatwakwata inshita (When Gentile Kapambwe Mulenga was taken for training by Stafford Mtalama-RUMOUR)
  *Ba Alex Chola bushe apo panshi mulolesha, mwalilufya two ngwee
  *Ba Kaumba naimwe nibola iyi tema sports, limo ku bomfyako natompwe, noti ifilubilo lyonse.ETC
• 
  Max wrote on 27 February, 2009, 16:56

  Renard is rite. Zambian also stop fantasizing abt Tana. For sure he is a dependable player, full of experience and psychologically stable in the field of play, and that cant be taken from him, but saying that Zambia didnt play well because Tana didnt start or some other dreamers who thought when Tana entered the game plan worned is ridiculous. Why do Zambians run away from reality and see what they want to see? some are full of illusions about football. Tana was not or shouldnt be put at the centre of our poor performance.It was something to do with our lack of plan B. Wings killed, high balls, physically inferior and weak psychology. Lets analyse reality not what is we exist in our small worlds. Kabwata, Chilenje & everywhere in Lsk city, come saturday we will be singing ….iyeeeee…….chipolopolo…..iyeeeee…chipolopolo*2
• 
  Seen from afar wrote on 27 February, 2009, 17:01

  Whether it’s wrong or right, we want the best for the team, let’s find out the issues whatever they are and not let them stand in our way. One…
• 
  Anonymous wrote on 27 February, 2009, 17:19

  Its a Zambian thing to be timid. Lol.
• 
  Matafwali wrote on 27 February, 2009, 17:35

  Mabbwana :
  Vincent I cudnt wait to get to the coment part coz I dont undastand why pipo shud side wit HR on this. The coach is the 1 who has bn beating drums of inferiority every Zambians ear now he wants to say its a Zambian complex? We beat IC without any sign of being timid. HR should jst admit that he was out done by his Seoegalese counterpart.

  Mabbwana, you hit right on the head. Zambian coaches, in the recent past and present just do not seem to have the tactical acumen to read the game and adjust. Yes, Senegal are bigger and more physical and they used those tools to their advantage. We played into their hands and never adjusted. Period. Inferiority, I doubt. Intimidated, most likely.
• 
  Anonymous wrote on 27 February, 2009, 22:06

  Stop the pressure. If the boys come out top of the group. Job done.
• 
  Anonymous wrote on 27 February, 2009, 22:20

  Uncle Bobs if u ever buy a beer 4 fred Mwila again dont come announcin
• 
  desire wrote on 27 February, 2009, 23:21

  Hey isaac you are watching too
• 
  Chimz wrote on 27 February, 2009, 23:37

  Chris katongo on target. Wat a craker of a goal!
• 
  Billy wrote on 27 February, 2009, 23:45

  Yes it was a long range shot by Katongo. FC Koln 1, Bielefeld 1.
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  Kennedy Phiri wrote on 28 February, 2009, 0:49

  I have said it way before that we are too scared of opponents. Look at how Zambia plays South Africa, its like ..bwana we won’t score. please remember as in your league even imvela (first division)… where is Dennis Lota, Davies Phiri… Our boys have become content with playing in South Africa but are failing to pass trials overseas because we are scared of bwana. Its not enough to complain. What must we do especially people like great Lusha.
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  monk police wrote on 28 February, 2009, 2:03

  Please orgainze a question and answer for our star player “Isaac Chansa” Zamfoot if u can.Cheers
• 
  lee wrote on 28 February, 2009, 10:28

  HR is just giving excuses. HR has no tactical game. I dont regret criticism him and keep deleting my comments.
  With that team and HR’s tactic we are going to be knocked soon, if not today. And HR will resign. He is an apologist.
• 
  Justice Kafusha wrote on 28 February, 2009, 11:18

  Nice we are not meting any of them in AFCON/SA2010
• 
  Justice Kafusha wrote on 28 February, 2009, 11:18

  meeting
• 
  Magic wrote on 4 March, 2009, 16:18

  @KK11 I agreee with your comment that HR is the best thing to happen to us for a while. He may not have got us winning all the time but he has got us closer to being a profesional outfit in terms of how we handle our football as a total entity. Kit, travel, diet, physical fitness, style of play and just general organisational things that he continues to implement despite being frustrated by FAZ. I dont think a big name coach would have had better results yet a big name coach would have left already citing some reasons to leave. It is not easy managing Zambia were expectations are like that in Brazil yet resources (money, pitches, local league, accomodation, scouting, youth structures) are not up to scratch. This guy is making the best he can with the meagre resources he has. Before some detractors jump on my case, dont get me wrong, we as a nation have a big appetite for soccer but if you take a step back you will realise that this guy is making McDonalds Burgers from a loaf of bread. When we get to World Cup 2010 I will go as far as saying he is making wine from water. The guy asks for simple things like arriving 48hrs for away games and we fail to honour that. We are nowhere near the West Africans and North Africans when it comes to resources, “boasting na njala”. But the thing that makes me proud is when those boys put on that green jersey and try their best for mother Zambia. When they die a little for their country. And if they want to win that is what they will have to do today. Make us proud and take us where we used to be…on top!