June 9, 2009
Failure to address concerns raised by FIFA over the next eight (8) days might result in the Football Association of Zambia hosting the remaining Chipolopolo 2010 FIFA World Cup and Nations Cup qualifiers in a foreign country.
Following lapses observed by FIFA Security Officer Frank Valdermaca during last Saturday’s match Zambia vs. Rwanda, FIFA reckons that the fixture Zambia vs. Algeria may become the top match in the group and is therefore considered “really high risk”.
FIFA has since demanded that matters raised following last Saturday’s game be addressed before 16 June 2009; adding that as a precaution the world football governing authority will appoint additional staff to service the June 20 qualifier. The additional official will be the Match Observer and will compliment the work of the Match Commissioner, Security Officer, Referees Assessors and the four match officials.
Among urgent measures required to be undertaken for the June 20 qualifier to go ahead include opening more entry points to the stadium, identifying seating bays for spectators in the open wing as well as daily maintenance of Konkola Stadium pitch to June 20. FIFA does not want any matches played at the stadium before June 20.
The Football Association of Zambia has set into motion a programme to comply with FIFA’s requirements and will also take drastic measures aimed at improving crowd control. In this regard, only 25 vehicles will be allowed to park inside and outside the stadium. This 25 will include the Presidential motorcade.
A security cordon will be set up at least 300 t0 400 metres away from the stadium and only people with tickets will be allowed passage to the designated entry points of the stadium.
Police will also be detailed to deal with those who will be found selling tickets away from the designated areas in order to allow for the control and safety of those who will have bought tickets.
The Association will further work with stadium management to relocate ticket holders to additional designated open wing entry points.
These measures are being taken in order to ensure that the stadium is not closed in view of serious lapses reported to FIFA.
FAZ further wishes to remind the public that the reason why tickets for last weekend’s game were pegged at K200,000.00, K150,000.00 and K50,000.00 for respective seating sections was not for profit but a measure aimed at ensuring that issues of security and crowd control were dealt with. Unfortunately, these measures were misunderstood and the result of that misunderstanding gave rise to the number of people present at the stadium. FAZ will therefore consider revising ticket prices for the match Zambia vs. Algeria. In this regard, the open wing tickets will now be sold at K40, 000.00
As we countdown to the June 20 match, the FAZ wishes to advise and appeal to fans to ensure that they purchase their tickets once they go on sale and get to the stadium as the stadium gates, which will open at 08:00hours will be closed at 13:30hours.
Police will be detailed to send away anyone found loitering outside the stadium area. This is so because FIFA has further stated that without these measures being put in place the match officials will be requested not to commence the match until order is restored. If disorder continues the match will be called off.
These strict measures follow the incidents of last Saturday, the tragedy in Abidjan in March 2009 and Konkola deaths of 2007.
The statement by the General Secretary FAZ George Kasengele was issued yesterday but arouud midday in the business district of Lusaka, FAZ Vice spokesperson Macha Chilemena appeared to have a diferent view regarding the maintenance of Konkola which FIFA has said should not host any more games until after the Desert Foxes clash:
‘That ground belongs to a Premier League club Konkola Blades and there is no way we can close it even to refurbish the pitch.”
An emotionally charged Chilemena who was mobbed by fans said FAZ had no option in the use of the stadium.
And Chilemena maintained that FAZ would not recall Germany based Andrew Sinkala as long as Coach Herve Renard did not ask for him:
Nike’s version of Zambian Copper jersey.
”The coach has not seen Sinkala play. Andrew will not be recalled if Herve Renard does not indicate that he wants him. That chapter is closed.”
Chilemena further accosted an unidentified smartly dressed gentleman on the scene who wanted to find out why the Chipolopolo Boys have not had a distinct home jersey or the Copper and black FAZ had promised:
” You I spoke to you over three hours last time over the subject of the jersey. Dont ask me again. We are dressed by Nike and the jerseys you see are what they give us.” Chilemena retorted.
When the man pleaded with Chilemena, he responded: ”May be against Egypt, you may see that (Copper and black), May be.”
The Zamfoot crew who had been called to the scene near Nandos in Cairo road tried to interview the mystery gentlemen to find out what he had said to the FAZ vice spokesperson earlier for him to get visibly upset. But he declined and opted to remain anonymous.
Early this year, Chilemena apologised to the Natioal Sports Council of Zambia after he had accosted one of their officials in a named bank in Lusaka over the Mayuka saga.
128 Comments on "FIFA: Put Konkola in order"
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DaMwiinger on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 11:45 AM
Heish, hope we can sort this out. The long term solution is for the so-called government to do its job and build proper infrastructure. I mean we have a world cup next door and we can’t even think of the benefits this will bring to us!!!! What kind of brains do people have????!!!!
Chamz on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 11:59 AM
Yes. Thats one thing, I wanted to say. Why did we feature in white? Marsha is being silly, FAZ should tell Nike the colours they want. FAZ said green away and copper at home. Please stick to that. Vincent Numbwa, I know you said at one that that Marsha is your family, ask him the questions we are asking here
Chamz on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 12:28 PM
The picture confirms that Mbesuma was too casual. He was too close to the ball.
Skillari on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 12:29 PM
Gentlemen! Just when we are finding our feet in the game of football, this is when you have started raising nonsensical issues to disturb the progress. If you are not careful you will frustrate the good things happening around Zambian football now. We drew the first game,won the second one and suddenly you have grown big and loud mouths. Lets unite and work together to develop and enjoy our long lost pride.
This is football, let the coach do his Job on player selection. After the draw we praised the team and the coach, chikanga fye tuba pape!90% of the players who played the Rwanda game were part of the team that drew in Cairo. If we are not careful we are going to mount unnecessary pressure against the coach and the team such that they will fail to perform and we will be the same people crucifying them. Stop talking about player selection and mind your own business. Last sunday we were lucky the pressure we mounted on our coach and players did not haunt us.
In football numbers are not personal to holder, any good player can play in the national team. When you cry for old palyers you base your talk on the past performance which is wrong in football. Tell me what happend when you were busy crying for Sichone? Sichone! Sichone! Sichone came unfortunately he was too slow on the ball such that he ended up being the loophole in defence and you had to substitute him in the first half.
So leave room for the coach and players to perform.
Dinamo on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 12:48 PM
Yes ba Skillari player selection is supposed to be done by the coach but that doesn’t mean that fans should seat back and relax and only talk when things go bad “ati sembe that and that bra bra bra”.We are important stakeholders and therefore we have the obligation and the right to advise,comment and even question decisions made by the coach,players,FAZ and other fellow stakeholders.That Nike version of our copper jersey is pathetic to say the least.A friend gave me that and I only use it at home (indoors).
Chamz on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 12:58 PM
Zesco and Red Arrows have better kits than Chipoloplo. Zesco wear suits when travelling, Zambia wear “Brazil” aka Nyambe Mulenga.
Skillari on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 1:00 PM
I have no probs with the complaint on the outfit. Its pathetic and in the FAZ’s rightfull mind, they shhould know they are the customers to nike hence they determine what they want. The talk by Chilemena that “this is what nike gives us” is lame.
My worry is on how we are trying to involve ourselves in what the coaching staff is doing. A good example is the revalation of Emanuel Mbola, if we cried for names of old players we would not have discovered this young talent. I praise HR for being so bold in putting his foot down to play Mbola first time. We need such revalations, not legs that are already tired. What guarantee do we have that if Sinkala come he will perform especially after being down with a bout of TB.
Ba Muzo on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 1:03 PM
Which nosensical issues? Fans, stakeholders have a right to suggest. Take it or leave it.
Coaching is a pressure job everywhere in the World. Ask Wenger, Fergie, Benitez. At the highest level, fans in stadium are heard telling a coach: You dont know what you are doing!Or indeed Fergie sign him up(Tevez)!
So why are you telling us?
The Algerian coach wept (cried) due to fans’ pressure. But delivered with a 3-1 bashing of Egypt.
Football in Zambia is not a monopoly of anyone.
I dont know what you men when you say”mind your own business” I am actually laughing. FAZ administrations will come and go, fans for Zambia will always remain. I repeat: everyone has a right to suggest. Whether anybody likes it or not.
When you talk about unity its not just doing what one side thinks is right. Unity is about being inclusive. Unity is explaining decisions/complications in a non emotive way.
But still, Scolari, sorry Skillari, i respect your views my man. You are entitled to them.
Sibs on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 1:09 PM
I would like to hear see what Ba Minister Chipungu will say concerning the issues raised by Fifa. This is where the Minister needs to act and get involved seriously. We need some people ukutapilasha the pitch everyday for the next 12 days or so. Ala balitumwenamo over the playing surface !
I hope also we can see a more noisy crowd pa Chillies come 20/06.
kayula on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 1:11 PM
ba chipungu inchito ya moneka,do somthing about our staduim or else we find our selves hosting in Botswana or any other foreign country!Not ukulalanda pa ma tickets-there prices!!!!
Ba Muzo on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 1:24 PM
@Skillari
Would any normal team offer a T.B patient a contract extension to 2011. Bundesliga 2 my brother!
I do not want to sound distractive but how many players in this current squad are regulars at their club sides? Chamz, put it well, names are being played. When i questioned that before the Egypt game some people thought it was nonsensical to put it in your words. Players must be picked o form. We should not wait until its too late.
Personally, I will always trust the coach when the team performs well. If he thinks Sinkala is a disruptive influence to be recalled, so be it!
But i thought the coach made it clear the misunderstanding concerning Sinkala was sorted.
So the views by honourable Chilemena that the coach has not seen Sinkala in action can not hold water. Provide Renard the videos on Sinkala. Ask himor his club if you are serious. He plays regularly in Germany.
Or I could avail anyone who cares and has not seen Sinkala in action the Zambia-South Africa 3-1 video to see.
If its still a case of oranages and apples, then i shall never waste time on this issue. Eyes on the ball! Afterall, I believe FAZ more than even me would be the first to want us to qualify to 2010. And I insist any further call up is just to strenghthen. If the Renard feels we are strong enough so be it. Am convinced the squad we have is oozing with quality but strengthening has never been bad. Has it?
Billy on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 1:35 PM
Mani, Sinkala is NOT tired or finished leg. Take is or leave it , Sinkala is the best midfielder we have. We cant just discard away that talent just like that. We need him for the national team. Maybe you have never watched the guy that well. I for one am for Andrew Sinkala. But if the coach does not need him, well and good. But I still insist, the guy is good.
Taj on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 1:37 PM
Its just an embarasement
Taj on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 1:39 PM
Its just an embarasement years after independence we can still have a stadium that cannot even be used for intervillages in south africa,let the chipungu & faz do their job.
Billy on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 1:46 PM
Ine mwandini on the issue of stadium , my blood boils. Last sunday afternoon when I was watching the Zambia – Rwanda game on SABC 1 with my SA friend, I really was embarassed. My friend asked me if this was the only stadium we have, I said yes. He laughed his lungs out. What a shame.
Zambia is the only country in southern africa that is lagging behind in terms of stadium. This was also mentioned by one mamadou on SS3 Soccer Africa discussion.
Magic on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 2:07 PM
LOL, interesting developments in the most vibrant football blog for all things Zambian. The comment by Chilemena that Nike give us what they want is the most outlandish statement I have heard. Utter nonsense. I will be interested to see how sponsors will be clamouring for us when we win AFCON. I will be interested to see how sponsors will be clamouring for us when we qualify for the World Cup. I think we need to raise our international profile and better deals will come but inthe mean time, our administrators can definitely do better in this regard. White at home. Someone please explain the link. Look at the kits other so called small teams are wearing. Even the Amavubi wear better kitted than us. Secondly, they cant’t even give us the right sizes. Our boys were swimming in those oversized jerseys. That kit was all over Chivuta like a bad rash. Then you wonder why he cant perform. LOL. On this we can do better. If the worst comes to the worst, tell Nike to stick their kit up their you know where. Go to the market and buy rolls of chitenge material. get some local tailors and make the boys some clothes that actually fit and have some national significance. LOL. Watch out world…here come the chitenge clad chipolopolo stars. LOL. Kit solution should be one of the priorities, please!
campos on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 2:09 PM
…..and if u continue to play all your WC Qualifiers at that “ground”…u are likely to win all of them…GOOD strategy…..keep it up..Amavubi will teach u a reason in KIGALI.
Chamz on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 2:10 PM
Billy, you should have said we are building a new one and Independence is being renovated.
That stadium is bad.
Georgia Russia on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 2:28 PM
The state of our stadium is contributing to our performance every time we playing at home.belive me u guys,if the same team played in a better stadium u wud have seen something else.govt come in and help us we need stadiums pliz
Sibs on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 2:31 PM
Billy i listened to Mamadou that was two weeks ago. The guy was right for sure.
Billy on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 2:36 PM
Chamz, I told him that a new stadium is under construction and independence stadium is undergoing a face-lift.
Billy on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 2:37 PM
Thats true Sibs.
danny man on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 2:39 PM
i was really disappointed with the arrrangement by FAZ which made me be in the line for almost 2hrs before i got in the stadium….FIFA guys saw what was at the stadium and the teams performace was average!!FAZ PLIZ PUT YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER…
Tm jics on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 2:48 PM
Zain, Multichoice should just instead invest the money they wanted to give faz by maintaining independence stadium. Here in zambia we manufacture everything we might need to build a stadia; Cement, Steel, Wood, plastic chairs etc. Why then a we failing? Where did we go wrong? Zesco, ZRA, Ministry of works bra, bra, bra… What are doing. So much need to be done, and do you know that football is a good investment if you have better infrastructure. Lets not wait for some people, it time we learn to do things on our own. No wonder some Rwandanese guy ask if we pay tax due to the poor state of a stadia. I would be happy if zain, multi choice said ‘ we’ll help faz by completing the works at independence stadium. This government is a let down. It would have been better if the money used to buy ‘bakatenga malilo’ being invested in sport infrastructure. Think please twapapata.
kapunda on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 3:32 PM
could it be possible Zamfoot if the boys this time had international friendlies with say DR Congo, or Nigeria or our Brothers Ghana? this definetly may help the coach very well than playing a reserve side of south African Club. we appreciate but the competition now is flucid.
Big Steve from SA on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 3:41 PM
Ba CHIPUNGU muli kwi. Please say something. Just when we need you to make comments directly related to your work you are quiet. Please rise above the petty ticket price story and show how such a good leader you are by having the mantle to resolve the FIFA concerns in this short space of time. Mudala were are you??????????? nchito ya zowona ya bwela. Tell the nation what the plan is. Dont be the first to stand up and critisize other peoples plans when your head was blank at the time a plan was needed. Mr. Chipungu we await your leadership on this one, how are you going to support FAZ on this one?????????
Steven on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 4:09 PM
Most of the sentiments here are accurate. FAZ, the Ministry and all the powers that be need to refocus. They should hold an emergency indaba (since we are so good at those things) but this time they should have 3 things on the Agenda.
1. Fix the stadium! This is ridiculous. In fact we should just call SAFA and ask if we can play our games in SA. There enough Zambians in SA to give us homefield. Hopefully the embarassment of not being to play in Zambia will be enough to have the powers do something.
2. The Zambia Kit should be Copper and Black at home and Green Away, and White for third strip. Call Nike after the indaba and tell them that. If Nike refuse, then FAZ, or whoever should call Puma, Addidas and anyone else. What is the problem?
3. And lastly chart a serious plan for future friendlies, not ama rubbish like Orlando Pirates. All these countries getting ready for the World Cup need to keep playing. Someone should ask Japan who have already qualified, maybe we can get a trip to Asia, or something.
Why can’t we use our brains?
Vincent Numbwa on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 4:28 PM
Issue ya standuim ni Kaya Mwandi!!!!
Vincent Numbwa on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 4:36 PM
The guy is not my family but I have close friend married to this family, otherwise what he said is not good. We should forgive him remember the 70 x 70!!!!!!
Whisper on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 4:50 PM
Zamfoot, can you please give us an update on what is going on with Independo? Have the Chinese guys moved onto site yet? Before you know it the rains will be here and these guys will be complaining that they can’t complete the job.
I think someone once published Chipungu’s cell number on this site. If so please do it again, I have some pressing quesitons for baminister!
Uncle Bobs on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 5:06 PM
The beauty of it all is that by the time we finish with the Sinkala argument, Zambia will have qualified to SA2010 and he will be welcome to watch Zambia as a spectator if HR doesn’t pick him. Ba Muzo also watch upcoming Sydney Nteke!!! Sinkala is of course of exceptional talent and no one can take it away from him though he has depreciated by his very own standards (From Division 1 to 2) while players like Drogba, Eto, Yaya etc have been ascending. But i agree with Ba Muzo and Dinamo’s responses to Brother Skillar (Ok Ba kalamba namufulwako pa last though utuma points namukwata naimwe). Gents we can argue on this blog but ngatwakumana kunwa pamo. Ba Dinamo i had hoped i would meet you last time around. At least my young brother Spaks has told me you have made contact on that novel idea coming soon!!!
Marty USA on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 5:27 PM
I don’t see how FAZ can Dodge this one. I think we would win against any team if we played them in South Africa. Zambia V Egypt in SA would draw a massive crowd. South Africa is our second home. Did someone say road trip? Bring it.
Think about this. Almost the entire team plays outside Zambia. On better facilities. They are as much a foreigner to there own field as the visitors. Hence the lack of goals?
Monk police on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 5:27 PM
This is all Chipunga’s fault,if ticket fairs were not reduced few people would have been there.
Mwape on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 5:37 PM
ala baane algeria Look scary.. the highlighlights are there on you tube. the Chaps look Tall and Very fast. I hope HR and crew have already watched the whole Video and Plotting the Downfall of the Algerians.
Logic on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 5:37 PM
Chilemena’s statement lacks thought and truth behind it. Nike cannot just dream up a Jersey to give to Zambia. There is some form of input that FAZ needs to put into these designs. If saying we just take what Nike gives us s the mindset they take into negotiations with Kit manufacturers, then we are in trouble. We cannot continue with type of dressing and not to mention the fact that we cannot even get our hands on replica jerseys as fans. The crowd looked like a Rainbow at Konkola and you wonder how you expect to intimidate an opponent when you have a disjointed looking set of fans. One needs only to look at the Dutch sea of Orange to realize the Psychological impact that kind of support gives to the team. FAZ needs to come out in the open and tell us exactly what the deal is on the Jerseys before we engage the Chinese in making fake Nike Jerseys for fans.
Mwape on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 5:44 PM
i hope Jacob plays because the algerians are tall he can help when defending set plays, He can help Francis Kasonde who will be there as the holding midfielder. but iam very sure HR wont temper with the central defence pairing of Nyambe and dennis because they are developing such an understanding, so extra hight is really needed not forgetting also that he is the one who changed the game (jacob)
amos mumba on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 6:05 PM
My biggest concern when i went to the game was the behaviour of the fans.
I remember very well fans throwing empty plastic bottles during the time the referee disallowed the goal by Katongo and soon after we scored.This i am afraid is my main fear for FIFA to close the stadium than any other reason.Why should somebody who wants to watch a good game come drunk to the match?Perhaps we need a breathlyser at the game to check on those drunkards bringing confusion that may cause us being banned from playing at home.Remember TOGO!My appeal is to all genuine soccer fans to rally behind the team without causing security concerns during the remaining matches.
usma annaba on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 6:25 PM
one too tree viva l’algerie we are the best in africa nous allons au mondiale, vive usma annaba
Logic on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 7:04 PM
Playing in South Africa will save us from that embarrasment of a stadium. I couldn’t help but notice the guys perched in the trees around the stadium watchingg the game. Chipungu needs to start making noise about Independence stadium being completed quickly as opposed to trying to overcrowd Konkola ground (emphasis on Ground…I’ don’t believe we need to call this a stadium. Having watched the Egypt-Algeria game and seeing that stadium, I now understand why the Algerians made those comments about our Gound
djsmuzzi on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 7:07 PM
yeah i don’t see any chipungu it’s funny but sad
wise on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 7:22 PM
ba Dinamo could you tell me the scorers 4 power dynamos against forest rangers
chivotevote on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 9:11 PM
The stadium issue will always be there as long as we continue with such attitudes and the only people who can bail us out is the zambai national soccer team.If this teams beats Algeria(it doesnt matterif its a 1-0 scoreline)and take care of Egypt in october then go Rwanda for a win then it means Zambia qualifies for the world cup.I dont care if we lose 4-0 in Algeria but one thing for sure is Algeria will lose in Egypt.
If we qualify,it means all the enfluencial people/organizations will want to play a role in building/renovating stadia in the country but if we blow this one then we are back to square 0.
This is the time to use a little bit of motivational speaking to the national team.Just think of the impact qualifying to the world cp ould bring to zambia?Wouldnt we also want to host an African cup of nations after qualifying to the world cup.Ghanas economy is still smilinng after hosting the cup of nations.
Zambia national team,listen to me.I know we have never qualified to the biggest soccer stage,letalone won the africa cup but hey,you are just 9 points away but remember not to get carried away and take it a game at a time.Be cautious in your games approach.Remember Rwanda beat Morocco 3-1 in Rwanda in the last stage.There are a bunch of people who belive you can do this.
Situ on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 9:23 PM
Continue dreaming about playing in sa. Anyway hallucinating on the blog is allowable. Wats mo embarrasin playin in sa or at konkola. Just remedy the pitch or put artificial turf. Besides fifa talked about the terraces not the pitch. Read the article b4 dreaming. ..and the team shud jst continue training at sunset
wise on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 9:28 PM
situ mind your language
Nyama soya on Tue, 9th Jun 2009 9:45 PM
People Why do u write munuscripts? u write alot of things such that no 1 even reads them, minimiz the words.
Muta on Wed, 10th Jun 2009 5:05 AM
We Zambians can sometimes be short sited. A draw in egypt and a hard fought 1-0 against rwanda makes us think that we cam qualify for SA 2010.
If we play like that against Algeria and egypt then we must forget about the world cup. HR your work has just begun sharpen your mid strikers and work extremly hard otherwise you will loose against Algeria come June 20.
Go chipolopolo
nsomba on Wed, 10th Jun 2009 7:17 AM
Government has awarded Chinese Construction Company, Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Company (AFECC) a contract to revamp the Independence Stadium in Lusaka and Maramba Stadium in Livingstone alongside building the ultra modern Ndola Stadium.
The 3 projects are expected to be worked on concurrently and should be completed before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Sports and Youth Development Minister Kenneth Chipungu announced this at Taj Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka yesterday at a luncheon hosted to welcome the 8 member Chinese Engineers who arrived in the country on Tuesday in readiness for construction of the Copperbelt stadium. AFECC Vice-President Cheng Long Hua said his company which had worked in over 30 countries was doing business in Zambia for the first time and looked forward to doing a very good job on the 3 projects to leave a lasting impression on the Zambians.
Ba Zamfoot regarding this article on 9th april how far have Chipungu and company gone can you please give us a progress report .
Dinamo on Wed, 10th Jun 2009 7:19 AM
BA WISE Power scored through in form Luka Lungu and youngster Alex Ngonga.UNCLE BOBS ala mudala ama busy ku job yalichilamo this year.This is when things are begining to be normal hence my regular appearance on this great site for the past few days.Iam planning to meet BA SPAKS anytime soon and am sure we will meet when you come next time
Monk police on Wed, 10th Jun 2009 7:40 AM
Is it necessary to go to south Africa again in preparation for the Algeria game again? Maybe the national team should be practicing at Konkola stadium to get familiar with the pitch.
Ba Muzo on Wed, 10th Jun 2009 8:17 AM
Nsomba, I went to Independence Stadium the other week Friday. No one is on site.
In Ndola, the Chinese are putting up structures to house administrative issues. They are reported to begin construction of the stadium later this month.
In Maramba, like at Independence, nothing is happening.
Big Steve from SA on Wed, 10th Jun 2009 9:02 AM
Ya well and good but we have a game in 10 days time. what do we do about FIFA’s concerns in this time? we would not have won qualification to even the AFCON in 10 days so what in your opinion is a solution? remember that we are talkin about 10 days, your solution for this ten days??
people like you surprise me always quick to punch down a solution and yet never offer any solution yourself. If worst comes to the worst South Africa is the place to play our games and dont get me wrong just cause I live in S/Africa but like one blogger has already mentioned our best players play their soccer on some of the best turfs in the world. The bad pitch situation is bad even for our own players. Sorry to say but our govt works like days have 48 hours and faz is broke so to just say fix the turf is not a solution. Come up with something concrete before you shoot down other slutions.
Big Steve from SA on Wed, 10th Jun 2009 9:04 AM
Its not about the players familiarity with the pitch its about FIFAs concerns not the players. What do we d about FIFAs concerns regarding Konkola??
Concerned on Wed, 10th Jun 2009 9:23 AM
Just ban Zambia from playing home games at home until they build the stadium. That will make the govt. and faz serious about this stadium issue. Its too much
Romantic Monk on Wed, 10th Jun 2009 10:06 AM
Ay Civil Engineers on this blog, they can uderstand this issue better. some of us here are making an issue out of our ignorance. you need site offices and housing before you start the works. Gents, the chinese are quite fast in terms of construction, you’ll see when they start working on the three stadia. you need first to do the ground work before you start. like for independence and maramba, revised designs need to be made and agreed upon before the works commence. these things are necesary before you can commence any project. any Civil Engineer, Architect, QS and the like will say amen to this
SONG on Wed, 10th Jun 2009 10:15 AM
I was in grade seven when the government razed down dag stadium to pave way for what they called an ultra-morden stadium.My daughter is now in grade seven and we are still talking about a morden stadium!
Billy on Wed, 10th Jun 2009 10:19 AM
Now does it mean its only in Zambia where it takes forever to the preparations you have mentioned? Takwaba. For how long can we wait. It is this Zambian culture of procrastinations that has made it to be the way it is. Somebody help.
Algerian on Wed, 10th Jun 2009 10:40 AM
Hi,
It is better to play in foreign contry South Africa for example, better for both of us ( Algeria and Zambia)
I’am sorry : but your stadium it is like potatoe’s field ,not practical at all!
And I don’t think you have a time to fix it!! even money to finance the work! which is an issue in your contry!
Any way best of luck with FIFA!
See you in JOHANSBOURG !!!
Situ on Wed, 10th Jun 2009 10:46 AM
@big steve read thru my comment i have offered the solution. Playing our matches away wherever wud be the most disgraceful thing to our sovereignity! …and someone was giving an example of andora playing in spain, since when did we draw our inspiration from such?…… mamadou on supersport soccer africa? has that guy ever said anything positive about zambia. Who cares about wat he rants. Lets not b petty blame the pitch and wat not, our team jst cud not contend wit the pressure of playn at home. Noah mbesuma katongos singuluma were just below par. Someone tel me how jacob or mbola played wel on the same pitch? lets not b disillusioned by these pitch conspiracy theorems actually propagated by the algerians.
Step Aside on Wed, 10th Jun 2009 12:12 PM
I think if we set our priorities right, the chnese should have gone for Independence Stadium first. After all it is only the grand stand that needs to be built and so it wouldn’t take as much time as erecting a complete stadium (in Ndola). That way we would not have all these warnings from FIFA.
The way I feel right now is that FIFA should give altimatum with minimum requirements for a “normal” stadium to use on June 20. Perhaps that could be more of wake up call for Chipungu (who apparently has stayed mute over the state of the stadia in our country).
Romantic Monk on Wed, 10th Jun 2009 1:02 PM
I agree with you on the procrastination issue. I was in west africa a few weeks go, bwana, the stadia there are world class and there are still building new ones. even varsities have better stadia than independence staduim. LOL. Our leaders are somewhat to blame.
But, for the Ndola Stadium, the works will be starting soon and we’ll all appreciate at the pace the contractor will be moving.
Independence is more of a complicated issue. In construction, rehabs are more complex than new constructions. this is so because new designs have to match the old design. Let us just continue pushing RB and his collegues to fix the funing issues for the two issues.
Steven on Wed, 10th Jun 2009 3:50 PM
Ama excuses ya chilamo as always. Just send us to SA and we’ll be fine. If you think Konkola gorund is worthy of international footbal you’re joking. I’m sure FIFA would have shut it down if it were in another country, but we are so used to accepting mediocrity we can’t even see the tatters of this stadium. Shame.
Uncle Bobs on Wed, 10th Jun 2009 4:58 PM
Ninkwata solution, let’s pretend ati stadia building is NCC and you will see how money will flow in. Can you imagine even people undergoing corruption(Oops THEFT cases and found with a case to answer) are still attending NCC sittings and deciding the destiny for our country(constitution). Awe kwena twalichula. Tanzania raised TZs120m (Kwacha480m equivalent) from gate takings at their friendly with New Zealand played under floodlights last Wednesday-60,000 capacity stadium.
Algerian on Wed, 10th Jun 2009 5:08 PM
before you think to go to world cup, you must have a stadium to play a real football.
Konkola Stadium ?????????????????
Steven on Wed, 10th Jun 2009 5:15 PM
Algerian, just because we are friendly here doesn’t mean you should get too comfortable. We can see for ourselves that our stadium is below par, we will deal with it, we don’t need too many external observations. Just for that comment, Singuluma will score two goals against you guys.
Ba Muzo on Wed, 10th Jun 2009 5:18 PM
Uncle Bobs :Ninkwata solution, let’s pretend ati stadia building is NCC and you will see how money will flow in. Can you imagine even people undergoing corruption(Oops THEFT cases and found with a case to answer) are still attending NCC sittings and deciding the destiny for our country(constitution). Awe kwena twalichula. Tanzania raised TZs120m (Kwacha480m equivalent) from gate takings at their friendly with New Zealand played under floodlights last Wednesday-60,000 capacity stadium.
@Uncle Bobs
Uncle Bobs, and these are nations with similar economies to ours. Worse still, when we failed to host the All-Africa games, surprise! surprise! MOZAMBIQUE took over. Here there has been no war. But we have big time criminals!
Ba Muzo on Wed, 10th Jun 2009 5:23 PM
Well said Steven, we do not need these chaps from Algeria to patronize us. They have insulted us enough. We have to beat them here! At all costs. We can quarell as a family but it is not forv them to take advantage.
On June 20 Algerians will cry with their cry baby coach!
Marty USA on Wed, 10th Jun 2009 5:38 PM
The Algerian media is already making excuses for the loss to a game they have not played. Whats up with that Algeria. Blaming the stadium? Come on we all know that your boys have played on the desert sands before, stop crying about it.
Situ on Wed, 10th Jun 2009 6:01 PM
How damn! the algerians come up with propaganda we soak up in it, even divert from technical issues that really affect our team. We been playing in that stadium since 2005 and we knew prior that we wil b playn our qualifiers frm there . Who complained? is it not the algerian who smarted up wit the idea of insulting us and now we busy feasting their malice. Wana build a stadium in 10 days go ahead. Tell me wat makes u different from the insesitive govt. We r just as myopic coz we would have talked ths a couple of years back in view of the matches now. Now 30pin by 15pin open wing is 450mils continue being envious of tanzania