October 12, 2009
Zambia goes into the final match of the conjoined World Cup/Africa Cup qualifier against Rwanda on 14th November, 2009 needing a point to qualify to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Angola but I am not convinced present boss Herve Renard is the right man to take us there.
If we insist he remains in charge of that game we shall be taking a big risk. To start with his employment was a risk. It has back fired. So it would not be necessary to gamble with the Rwanda match. We have lost three consecutive matches without scoring. This is dismal. If a coach cannot take responsibility, I do not know who will.
The philosophy that Renard is propagating of building a team got him fired at low league Cambridge United in England where his team was pathetic in front of goal. Is it a coincidence that Zambia has been bedeviled with a similar predicament?
renard-and-kaunda
I will take us back to May 2008 when Renard was engaged rather acrimoniously I must add. He had no pedigree to write home about. That is why Ghana only employed him as physical trainer at the behest of Claude Le Roy. This is well documented and need no further elaboration.
Zambia had just been eliminated from the AFCON in Egypt where they had beaten Sudan 3-0 before capitulating against Cameroun 5-1 and rebounding to hold the reigning African Champions Egypt. The only side to hold the Pharaohs in that tournament as they went on to retain their crown. With that one dreadful loss to the Indomitable Lions, fans had enough and called for the head of the coach Patrick Phiri and he was duly relieved of his duties. One bad match the local coach was gone. One match!
Zambia composed mainly of under 23 players was soon after competing in the Chan qualifiers. We beat Botswana by a handsome score line before taking on Swaziland in the penultimate match at Woodlands after holding them in Mbabane.
We came to Woodlands Stadium and walloped the Sihlangu 3-0. This is a game Renard watched and made his observations.
FAZ executive will be hosting Herve Renard at Football House tomorrow to chart the way forward.
“As an association, we are not happy with the results and we will investigate this. We’ll talk to the coach because he is the one in charge of the team,” Kalusha said.
Isaac Chansa has hinted that he quit the Chipolopolo if ‘we don’t change the coach.”
“I am not a 19 or 20 year old. I need to know why he doesn’t play. The coach has to give me reasons. But I don’t think I can be coming all the way to sit on the bench.”
The World Cup and African Cup qualifying matches commenced and we were paired with Togo and Swaziland with the former Ghana Physical trainer taking charge. We labored to subdue Togo and even Swaziland our perennial customers scoring from the spot through Chris Katongo for a slender 1-0 win. The bulk of the Swaziland side was the same Swaziland that had chased the shadows of the Under 23 in the Chan qualifiers at Woodlands Stadium!
What was the problem? Tactics. Confidence eroded by negative tactics. This team had scored in every match at the AFCON remember? These same players some are now saying are useless. How come they cannot score now when previously they were finding the net?
Herve Renard tactics and mouth do not suit the Zambian game. He has played two defensive midfielders in key home matches. And berated his side. Where on earth do you play with two extra players to cover the back four when you are looking for goals like in this Egypt game at home?
For the record, in the Egypt game he played Andrew Sinkala and Stophirra Sunzu. We only needed one holding midfielder. Then he did not feature Isaac Chansa, an exceptional professional player with loads of experience playing for Helsinborg in Sweden in preference for Sunzu who at the moment is clubless. That to me beats logic.
I thought Sunzu when Sinkala faded a bit did OK in the second half. So like for like change would have done had we played one of the two number 6s we had and played an attacking central play maker an archetypal number 8. There was no link between Mbesuma and the midfield. He was cut off but occupied the defenders well and following his substitution you could see the Egyptians pushing up more. That was our undoing.
Collins Mbesuma looked like he did not do much but to the contrary he did quite well. He drew two or three defenders everytime he got on the ball. That helped to explore the areas that Kalaba had in the opening half coming from the deep. A creative midfielder like Chansa or William Njobvu would have thread defence splitting passes to Mbesuma to finish. Mbesuma had only one clear chance which unfortunately he fluffed. But should a born natural finisher heavy as he is play alone up front? Alternately Katongo could have been deployed in the hole in the traditional 4-4-2 formation. That is a system we have grown understanding and winning by.
For the umpteenth time, Katongo is not a winger. Chris is very effective as a second striker in the hole. On the flanks you need Clifford Mulenga or Kennedy Mudenda type of players who will put defenders on the back foot and whip in crosses.
The result is playing well but not scoring. For away matches that is fine. But the crunch is home matches and Mr. Herve Renard has miserably failed to inspire any confidence at home.
That chances were created even in the first half in the loss was down to great technical abilities by the boys. Tactically, Renard failed. His substitutions in this match like in previous ones at home showed he was panicking in the end. He just threw in the strikers. He even threw in a winger to play right back! Joseph Musonda like Mbola overlaps and he does it very well week in and week out for Golden Arrows. So was it necessary to bring in Jonas Sakuwaha without changing the shape of the side? Turned out to be meaningless and confusing in the end that change. Panicky stations at their best!
With Zambia chasing the game after a goal by Egypt against the run of play, one would have expected that experience was what was needed to win this match. In the end you put too much pressure on the youthful shoulders of Singuluma and Mayuka and make them look like they do not know what they are doing. The shape and balance was lost in the closing stages. We resorted to the now too familiar chipante pante (anywhere does it kind of football).
I remember the Under 20 match we lost to this selfsame Egpyt. We held them 3-3 in Cairo. In Chingola, again in typical fashion Renard employed two defensive midfielders Sunzu and Israel based Justin Zulu and we conveniently lost 1-0 conceding at the death. We defended as if we were playing away and we paid the ultimate price. We were booted out!
My considered belief is that we have a very good team with good players. This is because many of these players qualified to the two last Africa Cup of Nations and some of the youngsters were in the under 20 team that went and did very well in Canada at the World Cup. Egypt and Algeria have spoken highly of these boys. And by the way a lot of them are now in Europe. Our failure to score is not due to bad luck but due to bad tactics. We have gone 360 minutes without scoring a goal. We have created half chances sometimes and missed them and cried as if we had created so many clear cut chances. We have even blamed the pitch on which visiting teams have wired us on. Come on!
Renard succeded with some of these players at the CHAN. That in itself is an indication that these players are not bad. If we noted our success at the CHAN was anchored on the fluidity of the midfield where Renard played William Njobvu mainly and was very creative in the attacking sense. If these players were bad they could not have won the bronze at CHAN. In terms of our league it is not so bad too. If it was a write off there was no way Zesco United were going to reach the group stages of the African Champions League where they finished fifth out of eight top club sides in Africa.
All this happened under the same poor conditions and facilities and everything else we have now but not the overwhelming support Herve Renard has enjoyed previously unavailable to any Zambia coach; local or foreign.
Under him, we fared badly at the CECAFA where he discovered to his credit Emmanuel Mbola, and COSAFA, two tournaments that Patrick Phiri who lost one match against Cameroun and was fired for, had won comfortably. Phiri discovered some of these boys and had qualified us to our first under 20 World Cup. What else has Herve Renard done in his ever building process? Somebody tell me.
That Gabon team we cry about had the late legend Sameul ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu fired, the man who guided Zambia to the finest performances ever at the 1988 Olympics after we lost in Madagascar 0-2. On came the late ‘Uccar’ Godfrey Chitalu and Alex Chola. The team was simply a marvel to watch churning out impressive results. So why procrastinate on Renard?
Let me draw parallels with the English league which we all watch regularly. Chelsea brought in a world cup winner with Brazil Phil Scolari to replace Avram Grant who had replaced Jose Mourinho. Scolari had a big reputation and was doing very well with Portugal but his methods failed the blues. He was fired! It is not enough to be just professional. Results must also be shown. If not, we are all entitled to talk. It is our team. Zambia national team!
The same Chelsea players went on to revive their fortunes under Guus Hindink following the departure of Big Phil. Players like Didier Drgoba and Nicholas Anelka who jaded under Scolari flourished under the masterful stroke of genius under the Dutchman. The same can be done to the Zambia players if we get a great coach or a local who understands them.
There is nothing personal here. The hierarchy at Chelsea parted company with Scolari despite his previous monumental success because he was taking Chelsea nowhere. He had a plan for the Stamford Bridge outfit which was not accompanied by immediate results. In fact more patience could have been pleaded for an experienced and previously successful coach not an inexperienced and dismal one. But still Phil Scolari was shown the door!
Closer to home Cameroun fired their coach when they stuttered at the beginning of the campaign and brought in experienced Paul Le Guen and their fortunes were turned with destiny now in their hands for South Africa 2010. Mexico fired Sven Goran Eriksson when it became apparent he was not taking them anywhere and now they are through to South Africa 2010. Eriksson is vastly experienced and successful but couldn’t just cut it.
The same goes for Herve Renard. He may not be a bad coach per say. But he is still learning the ropes of the trade and his method-tactics and mouth- are unsuited for Zambia. Mark my words, when he is mature, I doubt he would stay on as Zambia boss going by his disparaging remarks on the team and his not so secret stated ambition of wanting to manage a big team in Africa. Let us end his long winding apprenticeship now FAZ!
Renard will take us nowhere. May be as a developmental coach he might do. For the remainder of his tenure if you cannot fire him, Kalusha Bwalya, then give him the Under 20 so that he can build. At senior international level you cannot be building for over a year. It is not possible. I hope you have learnt your lessons on handing picking a national coach instead of scrupulously screening them after they submit their resumes. It would be a huge, huge gamble to let Renard take us to Rwanda.
To use Kalusha’s own worlds when unveiling the Frenchman on 16th May, 2008, the world will not wait as we try to build. I am pleased with the 1988 African Footballer of the Year’s words in his disappointment after the Egypt loss: This is not the direction we want our Zambian football to go. We will reflect on the three losses the team has recorded and see the way forward.’’
That way forward is to relieve Renard of his duties. He has failed. Renard must go.
I rest my case.
102 Comments on "Blog: Renard must go"
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Georgia Russia on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 8:44 AM
On second thots.hr has really failed us big time.never has it happened in the history of Zambian soccer,loosing 3 games in row is unacceptable.i agree with u ba muzo that we cant gamble in our last game and the best we can do is fire the entire coaching staff including George lwadamina.
Georgia Russia on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 9:03 AM
times of zambia,,izeki chansa threatens to stop playing for zambia
The Government on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 9:30 AM
HR is fraud he needs to go. The man is useless he has a big mouth and nothing to show for it. I really doubt HR will ever become a great coach, saying that he is learning is just an excuse.
smog on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 9:35 AM
Renard must go.
Never on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 9:37 AM
The next time FAZ wants to recruit a coach, they must foloow a rigorous process like the way Ghana did.I would like that FAZ looks to Eastern Europe because coaches from there easily adapt to the Africa environment.History can prove that.
Mutale on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 9:51 AM
For how long are we going to build our team?Come on Renard we have only scored two goals in 5 matches.Ba muzo thats a very good article.
Vincent Numbwa on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 9:53 AM
I said it before that HR should go but I was told by most fan on Zamfoot that HR was okay. let us wait till we lose by two goal in Rwanda then we will know that the PE teacher was a wrong recruitment all together.
I have always codemned HR’s public pronoucement of his desire to coach a big team and subsequent inference that our players are not good enough to match the likes of the so called African big teams. HR is a coach with a very small mentality he should have been gratefull and appreciated our having given him a national platform to shouw case his coaching skill than to repay us by ever reminding us how small a footballing country we are.
HR go in peace you have outlived your usefullness. Since you wanted to coach a big team before you could even prove your credentials with us , we will give you that chance now.I can only hope you will still be good enough to be Physical trainer at some reputable team otherwise for Zambia it is cheerio!
Dinamo on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 9:54 AM
Some people want HR to stay for the sake of consistance but I wonder what consistency we want to mantain with 3 loses in row.From the time I became a soccer fan 21 years ago I don’t remember a time we lost 2 games at home in a row.I also don’t remember Zambia coming out with only 2 goals in 5 games in an AFCON/WC qualifier from the time I started following football.Sorry to say that HR is the worst coach to have coached the Zambia National Team.Even Burkard Ziese’s confusion never brought this shame to our football.Patrick Phiri,Fighton Simukonda,Fodson Kabole and Wedson Nyirenda if assisted to upgrade their qualifications and given the $10 000 HR is pocketing the Chipolopolo boys can improve.I don’t think HR can even win the league if he was to coach a ZPL club,to me this guy is just another Mohamed Fahty who failed to win games with the same players Kabole is using and wining.Ben Bamfuchile was fired for a poor perfomance at the AFCON despite qualifying with a 100% record,Patrick Phiri was fired for failing to qualify for the AFCON in 2004 and he was again fired for a poor perfomance at the 2008 AFCON.Great Kalu was also forced to resign after a poor perfomance at the 2006 AFCON.What is so special about HR???.
Dinamo on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 10:11 AM
Some tips on the way foward:Kabole tech Director,Simukonda Coach,Wedson Assistant.If we want to engange an expertriate coach this time he should start with the under 20 and qualify the team to the African youth championship,the the youth word cup.After that the coach should graduate with the team to the under 23 and qualify to the All African Games and end with the olympics and then take over the national side with the inclusion of the deserving experienced playeres.
Georgia Russia on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 10:15 AM
awe mwandi 2 goals is just to much.eye off the ball.
1 vinco on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 10:21 AM
Twebeniko ama results aya mu premier (Kwitimu likalamba twalusa sana) Nshishibe.Maybe a local coach so we even save money. If it was a local coach and we lose three games in a roll, then its because he has grown older than 79 years. Fyachilamo.
Ngulube on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 10:39 AM
HR must go we dnt nid u,jst frm the begining i knew t u were a bd coach with a deleted CV,GO GO n coach a big team.I wish u best
Porterfield on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 10:44 AM
@Vincent Numbwa
ba Vincent iam one of the people who thought HR was on the right track but going by the way he has tranformed Zambia, from a sharp scoring team to a goal shy team, i feel it’s high time he left the post and go elsewhere pantu ifwe twanaka.
Zambian Strikers may look finished today but to tell you the truth that is not the case e.g England under Goran sven Ericckson as well as Steve were under-performers and he even stated that ‘England Lacked Quality Players’ but came Capello with the same poor quality players under Sven and Steve,and the Face of England CHANGED so i think its time we changed the coach even a local can do. you know what it pains and my heart bleeds to see someone getting alot of our PAYE money but what he does is give us 2 goals in 5 games and losing 3 games in a row,that’s pathetic no we cant go on like that. lets change the coach but maintain the team. Even Abedi Pele knows that Zambia is not a push over so why should HR lebel us as a minor footballing nation, no GOD forbid, ba Kalu please do something as soon as possible or else Zambia wont at the AFCON next door.
Chamz on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 10:55 AM
All of you guys are just being emotional including Ba Muzo. U don’t remember the last time Zambia lost games in a row? Please. You forget that less than 10 years ago, Rwanda was beating us, Benin qualified for Afcon at our expense. Common guys. While HR is not the best coach that what Zambia can afford, which good coach will come to Zambia for peanuts. I did i see someone suggesting Kabole? Ha! ha! I don’t think firing HR is the solution. Lets face it, we just don’t rank up their with the top times, the sonner you guys accept this, the less heartbreak you will be. Even if we qualify for Afcon, do you think this guys will do anything? No matter who the coach is?
mphatsop on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 10:59 AM
I dont knw what to say, sum of us were called names when we first condemned HRs appointment.
jexico on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 11:10 AM
enough is enough,we have seen it for ourselves Renard my go he has no tactics even Patrick phiri was better than this physical trainer turned into coach lets look forward with another coach,a local coach will be better coz he knows much about our players not building a team when there is a national team already its time to look forward turning back.
Renard abaleya!!!
Chamz on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 11:20 AM
One day, you guys will look back and regret firing HR. HR has groomed Mbola, Banda, Nyambe, Willaim, Saku and others. I am not saying he is the best coach around but firing him will be like the current Chiluba saga-going back to square one.
jeff windhoek on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 11:21 AM
In this game a coach who doesnt deliver must GO.HR must GO thats it
connie on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 11:23 AM
I stil stand that HR is a good Coach, its just the players that are not doing their best. Take this example. A teacher of an exam class, is always there to teacher the pupils and when the exam comes and some of pupils fail, are you going to blame the teacher? No, i would say its because the pupils who have failed lacked concentration and determination if others can make it why cant they. How many coaches are we going to change.? Even our players should change their metntality, they need to die a little bit for their country. I think he is a good coach, its because each and every player in our Team wants to make a name which is not suppose to be the case, soccer is all about co-operation, determination and not about showing people that i can play better than anyone else. So dont blame the coach blame the players too.
Nitram on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 11:30 AM
Chansa is ryt. he ws an integral member of th team bt hes suddenly become useless under Renar. th Frenchman shud go!.
connie on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 11:37 AM
I believe we all have our own opinions over HR. But i still stand saying that HR is a good Coach and that its just the players who are bringing him down. I would give an example a class of pupils in an exam class. The teacher is their to teach them the information the need to know, at the end of the day the time for the exam comes some of the pupils will pass the exam and other wont. Who do you blame for that? You dont blame the teacher because if others can make it then its just the pupils who lacked concetration and determinations. I think the problem is with the players, why cant the die a little bit for the country, its also because some players want to show people that they better than other players in the team which is not suppose to be the case. I guess thats why its called a team there is suppose to be teamwork and cordination. How many times are we going to change coaches and how many times are we going to say this Coach is not a good coach, months ago he was the best, now he is the worst. Lets not blame HR he is trying his best. I think out of all the coaches we have had, he is one of the best.
connie on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 11:39 AM
I believe we all have our own opinions over HR. But i still stand saying that HR is a good Coach and that its just the players who are bringing him down. I would give an example a class of pupils in an exam class. The teacher is their to teach them the information the need to know, at the end of the day the time for the exam comes some of the pupils will pass the exam and other wont. Who do you blame for that? You dont blame the teacher because if other can make it then its just the pupils who lacked concetration and determinations. I think the problem is with the players, why cant the die a little bit for the country, its also because some players want to show people that they better than other players in the team which is not suppose to be the case. I guess thats why its called a team there is suppose to be team and cordination. How many times are we going to change coaches and how many times are we going to say this Coach is not a good coach, months ago he was the best, now he is the worst. Lets not blame the Coach. I think out of all the coaches we have had, he is one of the best.
Veep on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 11:45 AM
we gambled, FAZ executive today, are all in a tunnel without light anywhere. The beginning was bad en our ending will be terrible. When we were voting for Kalu, ther, i heard sentiment that i think today are resurfacing throu results of the national team. There was Teddy, Hanif and Kalu, most voters were shouting “Pabwato”. Prior to egypt vs zed, i asked question here, Who will be blamed should we lose to egypt? was one of my question and today funs are calling for HR’s blood. Can someone compare our team against egypt, man to man. Ours is an AVERAGE, but theirs is the best. e.g. Zaki smashed and created goals against the likes of John Terry, Ferdinand, Vidic, Cavaho, Evra. Can he fail to do it against Banda,HH, BoMbola? the ans is no, not at all. I looked this game, they new it was their hope game, whether we scored 4, they would hav scored 5. Frm the first wistler, they defended, calling us to attck so that so we open, when we failed, they attked with 2 players en got a goal. The bottom line here is, now is the only time to keep on, re engeging another coach will not be a good idea. AM SURE WE WILL SCORE AGAINST RWANDA EN PROBABLY DRAW. Rwanda is our level. God Bless Zambia
ife ndife ba zambia on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 12:00 PM
guys dont just blame, u should come up with solutions.if you fire the coach, whom do u have in mind to replace hr? are u suggesting to go back and hire a person who has failed u before?lets be realistic.the problem is us zambians.we sometimes dont knw what we want.if we look at the local league, no club scores more than 2 goals.so lets look for the source of the problem ( goal drought).Faz should put more efforts to improve our local league.15 years ago, our league was very strong and interesting to watch, in many countries now football has improved.but we are havent improved for 13 years now. whats the problem?we have to find the antidot.psychology is also vital, i dont think our team has a psychologist.many of the african brothers have lost respect for zambia as a soccer giant.playing us doesnt pose any threat.we are goal givers, good samalitans.how many of our players speak good english?maybe they dont understand the coach’s instructions.
Con09 on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 12:16 PM
For the first time am so convinced -HR must go. i would rather we settle for Wedson Nyirenda and Beston Chambeshi. HR is just not right for Zambia
The Government on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 12:18 PM
@chamz and @connie
You don’t what you talking about.
ife ndife ba zambia on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 12:21 PM
mmmmmmmmmmmm
nahahhd
BA ZAMBIA on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 12:26 PM
To be honest i am even hesistant to comment. I felt Renard has scored on one premise and that is on enhancing our ball play. i think we have improved as well on the endurance of the players. people are calling for him to be fired easy to say but again we njust do not need to call for someone to be fired who will take over? i heard some suggetions of the Kabole’s and fighton Simukonda unfortunately i do not think Fighton has the ability to handle the National i would rather if Renard is fired today we bring back Patrick Phiri to be Assisted by Wedson Nyirenda and another coach. we can maintain Patrice the physical trainer if he is ready to agree to new terms of his contract since he can’t be getting more than th coaches.
i do not think it would be wise for Isaac Chansa to be threatening to quit the national as much as it is true i think he had better choices of erring his views he will end up like this other short big headed boy we are all calling for to be added in the team. Chansa should know that there are players who long even to sit on the bench but are not called to the team. afterall its the coach who knows who will play and for what reasons. he has challenged Renard in the media and i hope he is ready for the response. let him ask Enock Sakala who was at recieving end of the frenchman’s scarcism. so i do not know the way forward but to wait to hear from FAZ then we can make the comments
The Government on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 12:28 PM
@ veep do you know the malawi drew with Ivory Coast, I vory coast has the like of Drogba, Toure from Barcelona, Toure the Machester City captain, Kaulu (sp) from chelsea and many other European based clubs. Do you know of any player from the malawi national team playing in Europe? DR Congo beat Ghana, did you know that? You simply don’t understand what you talking about.
Chamz on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 12:33 PM
When Kalu and PP were coaches, Zambia faced weak teams and barely made it through. Which big team did Patrick Phiri and Kalu beat when they were coaches? Why is France, Argintina and Portugal sticking with the same coaches despite not impressive results? Answer-Long term thinking and they know that changing coaches is not the solution. Someone gave an example of England. Yes Capello has brought displine and commitment but I don’t think England can beat big teams like Brazil and Spain. Chansa was injured that is why he was not called. Does he expect to walk into the team just like that? He does not even play for his club for 90 minutes and yet he wants to walk into the national team? Look at Egpty, Mido and Zindan were left out of the team because of not showing enough committment.
Chamz on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 12:40 PM
Yes, employing a coach is a gamble that is why in Europe they have a mandate, a coach will only be fired and resign after that. So if we have to reach Afcon, then HR should resign. After Afcon if we are not happy with then HR must go. We fired PP after Ghana, you want to go back to him now and fire him after Angola and start looking for a European coach again? Portfield and Pouslen just had good players, that is why the failed after leaving Zambia.
chiti chitundu on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 12:43 PM
well after looking at the comments i can only say and echo what HR was saying ,that we are not playing villagers we are playing the african champions! it was going to be a difficult game, and have we invested anything for us to reap. look at the quality of players we have, playing in low leagues, look at the infrastructure available, look at the sponsorship and quality of our league and we expect the team to do wonders??? HOW? and from where? i know that for sure ,it also pains him, but look at what he has top work with,……. winning and reaping is not just about donating a nissan 4×4 to the coach and play a freindly with orlando pirates reserve. NO. its planning investing money etc. are our players disciplined enough and equal to the task from the onset. what typ of mentality do they have. So to heap the blame on one person , COACH,CHRIS, MWEENE or KALU isnt on and its wrong. We are all to blame as a nation , even the fans are to blame. We expect too much under difficult conditions. we need to sort out so many things and theres is too much confusion in zambian soccer right now. so we shouldnt and we should have never expected anything looking at what we have. Fire the coach bring in fabio capello nothing will change i can bet you!
ife ndife ba zambia on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 12:49 PM
zambia is a good team.it is not well prepared psychologically.once we are a goal down thats the end.we also tend to be afraid of great players.so whats the way forward for zambian football?
1. lets maintain the current team and the coach
2. Faz must forcus on improving the local league ( by putting some qualifications for one to be accepted as a coach for our league, not bcoz he was a player.
3. in the near future we must employ our local coach because i have observed with sadness that there is communication breakdown between our current coach and the players
4.faz must send some zambian coaches ( not relatives), for further studies either in germany, denmark, england or wherever,
in that way i think our football status will improve.
Dinamo on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 12:57 PM
Chamz ,you just have no data on the the calibre of a coach Kabole is.Ask Fighton Simukonda where he learnt that stylish football he is known for.If you remember the time Roan United played some best football in the league in the mid 90s when they even beat Mighty 3-0 in a BP Top 8 final that was Kabole magic.At Rangers he produced the likes of Moses Sichone,Elijah Tana,Andrew Sinkala,Ronald Mbambara,Laughter Chilembi and also handled Matsauso Tembo and Harry Milanzi from Zamsure and Nkwazi respectively in that brave rangers team that reached the semi finals of the CAF Cup and won the league in 1998.For your info Kabole was one of Porterfield’s assistants at the 1994 AFCON.He is back at Power and ask Zesco United players how what Kabole magic did to them recently.Zanaco now has 50,Zesco 48 and Power 45 dont be suprised if he gets the league or the second place this year.Please lets learn to respect our own, Kabole can be a good tech advisor if we were to resort to a local coach.Surely you can laugh at a coach with such a record????.What has HR achieved for you to be so confident???
ife ndife ba zambia on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 1:00 PM
veep do you know the malawi drew with Ivory Coast, I vory coast has the like of Drogba, Toure from Barcelona, Toure the Machester City captain, Kaulu (sp) from chelsea and many other European based clubs. Do you know of any player from the malawi national team playing in Europe? DR Congo beat Ghana, did you know that? You simply don’t understand what you talking about
do you knw that ivorians just needed a draw to go through?maybe they agrred on something with malawi, who knows.egypt had to win for them to make there dreams true.so its a different game with different aims
The Government on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 1:13 PM
@ ife ndife ba zambia
I don’t like speculations, give me the facts and we can discuss. what you just posted does not make much sense even to a two year old baby. grow up.
The Government on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 1:16 PM
@ ife ndife ba zambia
I don’t discuss speculations, give me the facts and we can talk. I don’t understaand what you trying prove because your post does not make any sense. come back with more facts boy.
Dinamo on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 1:17 PM
Connie, can I be educated on the role of a coach if he can’t be blamed for poor perfomance???A national team coach has a wide range of players to pick from unlike a club coach who is restricted to his registered players.If players can’t score or play cordinated football then whose job is it???.Why hasn’t he tried a new striking partnership if he knows his players can’t.Chibambo is in the Champions league final but he can’t feature in his national team when clubless players are even playing 90 minutes
hosam on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 1:33 PM
only 2-0 to rwanda and u ll out
Supporter "SALUZA" on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 2:28 PM
@Chamz
ba chamz!! Renard must go he has no tactics,there is nothing like regretting after firing renaed.football is about scoring goals nomatter how good a teams performs but without goals ninshi takuli efyo balechita,and about Isaac Chansa..he is an experience player mulelanda @ he doesnt play 90 minutes football is not all about completing the 90 minutes… how about clubless Sunzu nikwisa ateyela 90 minutes?
Justice Kafusha on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 3:03 PM
Employe a Zambian coach and pay him the same as HR, respect him and give him freedom to select his team and the man will perform. Renard takwata umu chinshi ku ma Zambians
Romantic Monk on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 3:06 PM
The Problem that we have with HR is that he doesn’t know the History of Zambian football. Although Bembas say ‘ubulimi bwakale tabutalalika umwana’ meaning ‘bragging about yester years harvest won’t stop a child from crying’. But he needs to be educated that at less than 15years ago we used to beat Ivory Coast, Mali, Egypt and u can name them all, they used to be scared of the Chipolopolo. This is not a long time ago. Another, problem we have is Kalusha Bwalya, he thinks he knows it all and just want to benefit from our money. I guess people have now heard that players were sleeping 3 per room, so were did the money go. So, Kalu and HR should go and let us have a other people to run soccer in Zed, people with a heart for Zambia not just the mone that comes with it.
Chamz on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 3:31 PM
Romantic monk, look at the picture above of the late team, we had quality players. U guys are just crying wolf, face it Zambia has never been a giant of African football. We are the near men of African football. I really don’t blame the coach, its not like we are being massacared, we simply can’t score. HR must rope in proven scorers in the league.
Shi Chamar on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 3:37 PM
@ife ndife ba zambia
Ivory Coast used a second rate team. Didier was only thrown in, in the second half to restore sanity after Malawi had scored. And he did just that. He scored. But for us to blame the coach when we dont have any player that we can look to when things are bad. I mean, guys honestly speaking look at the players that we had on the subs bench. Whi ones would have made the difference?? Lets keep the current Coach! Current Team! Fire Faz and probable just find 2 clinical finishers, say Kabamba or Enock Sakala or whoever can score. The So called Champions of Africa were outplayed, both home and away and we would have won by a cricket score line, if only we had 1 Didier Drogba, or 1 Samuel Eto’o or 1 Adebayor in that team!!! CASE CLOSED!!
Chamz on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 3:40 PM
I am a Zambian and I want Zambia to win. But I am not heart broken if they don’t win because I have come to face the truth that we just overate ourselves. Yes, I would have loved for Zambia to play in 2010 but the fact is we don’t have a team as easy as that. Egpty have been together for six years and won Afcon twice, surely they are a better team. Algeria are also a better team, Rwanda is also a good team if they can stop their defending football. Someone even said Kabole!! Ha! ha! ha! Was not Zamfoot which two weeks ago should us a team coached by Kaumba full of defenders? That is the level of our local coaches. HR should bench Chris, Jacob and play guys from Red Arrows and Zesco, they can score.
Justice Kafusha on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 3:52 PM
So Rwanda will only need to beat us 2-0 and we are out. We are really in trouble
Justice Kafusha on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 3:53 PM
So Rwanda will only need to kick us 2-0 and we miss AFCON
Dinamo on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 4:07 PM
Thats the thing ba Justice.Our own coaches have achieved greater things with peanuts.
Zed#1 (Mwangana) on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 4:26 PM
I remember commenting last week before the game against Egypt that this game was to be the game that would show the pedgree of HR in defining the Zambian game. I also commented that he was still young and needed time to learn the game (and of course this learning is to be done else where not on Zmambian football). Now am glad that we have seen the true colours of his abilities.
Now the way forward. Lets get a local coach like chicken George or Patrick Phiri qho understands the local players, to be assisted by some foriegn guy if necessary. AND KEY NO INTERFERENCE FROM KALUSHA AND HIS PEOPLE AT FAZ. We have the players right now and we can do much better. All we need are better strategies. Let us stop toying with our football our hearts ley in it. I agree we dont need HR for the Rwanda game we have experienced his level best for too long now and all it has given us are a loses in three games.
Let us continue believing in our football but at the same time truely criticing what is not right and not just. For Kalu kindly do all of us a favour and really look at the issues at hand dont sit back to cook up a story, just do your job you owe us that much.
Big up to the lads for the hard work they had put in on Saturday, sad that HR’s confused tactics put them in a storm. Dont lose heart guys we still need your positivity.
Cheers.
Seen from afar on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 4:37 PM
Gentlemen, it still seems absolutely unreal what happened on Sunday, i think many people like i share this feeling. No doubt we are all feeling a little bit traumatised to say the least.
It’s not what happened that baffles me, it’s how it was allowed to happen. The crucial thing we must remember about HR. Is that when he was appointed last year it was the right decision and there is no doubt about that. PP had taken his team to AFCON and unfortunately he was left wanting on the bigger stage. It’s not an issue of PP being better than HR, it’s an issue of who is right to coach at this point or that. Even though HR didn’t offer anything in the way of experience he did offer and provide the things he could, things i must add that were desperately lacking for our international ambitions, such as fresh eyes, a no names attitude which includes holding FAZ accountable when necessary, ensuring Zambia would be up physical level to match professionals and a good ability to spot further talent. So for me, there is really no doubt that HR was the man for us during this period, and i don’t even think Kalusha hand picking him was a bad idea either. So crucial for us that we appoint the right coaches it is that he should be allowed to do so.
HR’s job was to get us to the World Cup and AFCON, so that leaves one fail and one is pending, but it’s really border line pass. Border line is not were we should be and sadly does not stand us in good stead for the future. Yes we want to build, Zambia was building before HR and it will be building long after. I have made sure i could access HR fairly all through out, because we must be considered and we must be fair in our appraisals if we want true progression. After an amazing first half display only lacking goals, which were coming had we sustained that intensity, the wheels came off instantly in second half due to what i can only describe as desparate, unnecessary, naive, suicidal tactical decisions. To toy with any top side in a game like that is asking for trouble and that is what we got.
HR said after the game “Zambian players must show character”, yes this is very very true and it has always been the case especially for our strikers, but he didn’t accept his errors when that was the elephant in the room. On this blog, we identified that HR must show more if he wants to continue, more what, more creativity and more ability to think outside the box if need be, get our strikers to score goals because we have allot of possession… Mbesuma looked allot better but was he there yet becuase that is the gamble HR took in place of continuity with say Singuluma or even emphasising homework for attacking and finishing plays, were they done and drilled enough? The man is strong in is ways and that is good, but did he ever stop to consider all the options available, when you need a goal scorer, Enock Sakala might not be one for the future and might not this or that, but maybe he has the most temperament and that also counts for something. Why don’t you sub Chivuta for Njobovu and not a striker. It’s now this succession of blunders and emerging question marks over HR which leads me say thank you but no thank you to HR.
Yes we still want to build, but can we get the right coach for now? Someone who is: tactically astute at this level, has a comprehension of Zambia football’s history and strengths and is willing to work with them and not against them…
Amuna Onzuna on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 5:01 PM
I think its just bad luck. My blame is more on Players than the Coach,it seems we do not have a player who can take things personal.I saw the number of shots we fired at goal,they were all off targets,I dont think its the job of the coach to teach Mbesuma how to shoot accurately,these Players must practice.Its sad that Isaac didnt play and Im not amused that HR played two defensive midfielders instead of the attacking formation(3-5-2 was going to work in our favour coz we needed to score and retract when in danger).Melu used to deploy it for Mighty,he learnt it from Poulsen.A draw in Rwanda will do,the coach just needs to plan well.I think changing the Coach now will be costly as it will be a breach of contract.
Kabusha Takolelwe Bowa on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 5:47 PM
Indeed, this single sourced French gong’a must go, why he is being treated with kid gloves when Zambian coaches never received such preferential treatment? He promised us a berth at SA 2010, he has handed is emotional bruises, he must go, perhaps, with his master, Kalusha!
desire on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 6:30 PM
This team can’t even beat Rwanda, because the majority of the players lack class, they only have form. In short most of the players like Chris are moody, they play well when they are in good form. Remember, form is temporary, class is permanent. Ifinyangaaa period!!!!! Coming to the Coach he is history!!! the west western Coach ever. Show him the door plizzzzzzz!!!!
Sir Ben on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 6:32 PM
BA chamz coaching is about put players together in order to work for each other. U talked about Isaac that he does not even play 90min in his team but what sunzo? the boy boy is clubless,
Independent on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 7:28 PM
The problem with Zambian soccer has never been with the coaches.The national team has been tutored by several different coaches but the results have been the same.Even if we brought Hose Morinho,Alex Ferguson or Arsen Wenger to coach the national team,the results would still be the same.
People must accept that the standards of football in the country have gone down due to poor administration and lack of funding.The football Zambian teams play is a reflection of poor standards of local football.Look at what happened to ZESCO united in the African Champions league.
All those people who are suggesting that we fire HR or bring in another local coach don’t know what they are talking about.A year from now,they are the same people who will be calling for his Blood.
The only way forward is to change the FAZ administration and bring in people who understand local football better like Hanif Adams and others.We must forget about national team football for the next 4 years and concentrate on club football.
Romario on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 7:36 PM
Leave Renard alone.
Independent on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 7:45 PM
Kalusha Bwalya and his crew must go before Herve Renard goes.Just changing the national coach will not solve our football problems.It will just prolong this hopeless situation.
Football is not a hit or miss affair.It requires proper long term planning which could be as long as 6 years.If nobody is prepared to wait that long,then everybody must just accept that Zambia will be perpetual underachievers.Unfortunately,It seems that’s what most Zambian soccer fans are content with that.
We are short sighted and want quick success.The world doe’s not work like that.
Independent on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 7:47 PM
Kalusha and his crew must go before Herve Renard goes.Just changing the national coach will not solve our football problems.It will just prolong this hopeless situation.
Football is not a hit or miss affair.It requires proper long term planning which could be as long as 6 years.If nobody is prepared to wait that long,then everybody must just accept that Zambia will be perpetual underachievers.Unfortunately,It seems that’s what most Zambian soccer fans are content with that.
We are short sighted and want quick success.The world doe’s not work like that.
bola panshi on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 8:44 PM
kalu n his minions must go!
bola panshi on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 9:02 PM
hw do u upload 4tos here zamfoot or ba justice
AS on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 9:58 PM
HR must simply go. Personally, I have been a critic of this guy from the word go. I have said it time and again that in Zambia, we give too much respect for anything foreign and that at the moment we are paying too much for HR. The guy is still raw and Zambia doesnt deserve such a coach but better.
Iam too tired of HR and thanks to Muzo who has articulated reasons as to why HR is supposed to be fired. I remember people on this blog saying we should give HR more time. More time to fail to get Zambia to Angola. I repeat, and we shall see the result when Zambia fails to go to AFCON.HR is gaining experience at our expense. Why shouldnt we give a Zambian that chance to learn on the job. The African champions, Egypt have a local coach and for those that have been watching football for a long time, Shehata has been at the helm for a long time now. We must have self confidence in ourselves and learn to be independent, not calling a Physical Trainer to be a national team coach. Shame to Zambians.
Independent on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 10:23 PM
Yes, you can go ahead and fire Renard .Bring in another coach of your choice-Patrick Phiri,Hose Morinho,Alex ferguson e.t.c.
I guarantee you that the performance and results will not change as the players all come up from the same league where football standards are at their lowest.In addition you have poor administrators in FAZ and lack proper funding.
Failure will be the result of poor decision making.That is the price Zambia will be paying in every campaign.
Paulsn on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 10:56 PM
Justice how did you come up with that figure that if we lose 2-0 then we are out? In the five games played so far, Zambia has scored 2 and allowed 5 (GD is -3). Rwanda has scored 1 and conceded 8 (GD -7). I personally don’t see Zambia missing out of Angola even if HR is a bad coach. Easy mwebantu. Ku Angola tulesangwa
joe biden on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 3:14 AM
Lets have modo malitoli as zambian coach period.HR must GO.
Chamz on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 8:36 AM
While HR is not the best coach around I find it hard to blame him 100%. The sooner we admit we don’t have a strong team the better. Instead of firing HR and changing FAZ, what is the long term strategy? That is why we don’t win or qualify for anything because of making emotional decisions. I am sure a local coach like PP will go back to Nketeni, Bakala and other dinosors. At least, HR to his credit has developed boys like Mbola and others.
MUBANGA B NSAMA on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 9:00 AM
Please let us not be too short sighted and politicise the whole affair.People are saying Renard must go , is that the solution.If Renard goes , then who comes in ? Do we have anyone amongest our local coaches who has the expertise to understand the game at this high level (International Level).In the 1st place , Renard is really trying his best to deliver with the current crop of players we have around.You do not expect him to show Mbesuma,Christopher Katongo how to shoot a ball. I don’t think it is fair to blame the coach for the poor performance .The problems at hand are very big and will not be sorted out by one person.In my opinion , I think we should carry out a postion audit of Zambian football… were are we in terms of football development, how do we get to were we want to go ??? We need to start from the base, grassroots football, let us build a strong founadtion, and this will not be done overnight as some of u expect, it is going to take time .Look at our current infratucture-stadiums.Honestly, do u think we could have survived at the world cup with this current crop of ”players”.In a nut shell, we are very far from producing a team that can represent at world cup level and if we continue bluffing we are not going to go ANYWHERE !!!!!! I would also want to comment on FAZ- too much talk on the current executive not delivering…… I think their vision will only be a success if we support them.Please let us not be too short sighted as we will not achieve anything in the short term and we shall continue going round and round in circles
. I rest my case !!
Chamz on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 10:06 AM
People are comparing Patrick Phiri and other local coaches with HR. When was the last time Zambia was in such a tough group? Zambia was not a favourite to qualify, the favourite have always been Egpyt and I am sure they will thump Algeria, even 5-0, I can tell you they will be motivated. Their recovery is due to experience and quality players. We must be patient, build this time for the next WC and Afcon, by then the boys would have matured. FAZ must tell HR to cast the net wider, if I was HR I would rop in boys like Mbewe from Red Arrows and Sakala from Zesco, they guys can score. It seems HR has chosen his favourites-Chris, Felix, Jacob and these boys have failed to deliver, put them on the bench in Rwanda.
Chamz on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 10:25 AM
The good thing about HR is that it is not easy to score againt us, there is no way Rwanda will beat us 4-0, this will be the most open game so far.
Seen from afar on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 11:28 AM
I commend guys like Chamz, Connie, Mubanga B and Amuna Onzuna, you guys are open minded and positive. So let’s be constructive for a second…
Everyone knows we cannot expect to qualify for the WC, everyone knows what level we are at in terms of players and organisation, we don’t need HR to tell us these things repeatedly. We want him to try hard to achieve inspite of it.
In this situation you need to get the most out of your players, all cylinders firing on full, but i’m not sure that is the case at moment. People are saying we don’t have someone who takes it personal, but on Sunday we did, we had Chris chasing the ball to the corners tracking back to midfield, he was everywhere. But that made a lone figure of Mbesuma and the few times Mbola and Joseph Musonda cut up and increased the options it didn’t account for enough. No one seems to be able to hit target from outside the box and that’s also a sad fact. What was the contingency plan from HR in this scenario which was almost inevitable??? We needed to work the ball more in the final third, one two in and around the box, hope someone fouls and we get a penalty or someone breaks free. Instead we played you 4 up there and us 6 down here, we’ll get the ball and kick it up you… No, we needed to bide our time. It’s common sense that Singuluma and Mayuka aren’t going to hit a 30 yard goal or score on an individual run, they are going to tap in or take two touches, you need someone who is going to pass the ball to them, who is going to do that if Chivuta is off and you haven’t replaced him with someone who can?
HR talks allot about building a team future, but there are signs that his reasoning in this process are flawed. It’s evident in the way he has chopped and changed. From building a successful team around Njobovu then not playing him at all, to not maintaining faith in Singuluma. It’s succession of small things that means whatever momentum or confidence we see emerge get’s stopped in it’s tracks.
I not just saying sack him right away, but amongst my concerns is how can we possibly build on this now. I think even the team is losing confidence in him, the fans have. So if he is to stay, the gauntlet has really been thrown down and he has to make it up. Does he himself have the character now?
I understand when KK11 says, we don’t want to have to reinvent the wheel. We don’t , it’s just if we have to get a new coach i hope he realises and believes we don’t need to start from scratch and is happy continue where others have left off.
Muta on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 11:43 AM
Reading some of the posts on this forum is very dissapointing. Some bloggers are just voicing their opinions just because they are online. Most of them I am sure have never been actively involved in football and yet they are talking like experts. Charecter starts with the team leader in this case happens to be HR. HR has no charecter as a leader and I don’t think he has the mentality of wining and coaching a big team. Those who are saying that he should continue as coach are right because Zambians don’t have the mentality of winning and have no ambitions of becoming a footballing powerhouse. If FAZ and Zambians had the mentality of wining HR would have fired a long time ago.
I was very surprised that Zambians (FAZ, Fans and the Government) praised this HR for winning bronze at the CHAN competition in Ivory Coast. I am not surprised that most of the people think that HR is a great coach and want him to stay.
Manchester United are known as a team that fight until the last wistle. This is because Sir Alex Ferguson induces this charecter in his players. HR wants to blem his player that they have no charecter. I admire the leadership of Arsene Wenger, he is one man who does not critisize his player and team for anything. You will never see wenger slating his team that they are not good enough to beat United, Liverpool, Chelsea or any other European giant, yet his team is full of young and new players. A coach/ manager should show faith in his team otherwise his players will not have faith in him. If HR does not respect his player, team and boses who do you think will take Zambia seriously?
TERRY KAYAWE on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 1:45 PM
yes,yes,yes,yes,yes,yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssss. HR. MUST GO AND HE MUST GO NOW…
Gametime12 on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 6:29 PM
Chamz the funny thing is that these people praise Patric Phiri as if We won the Afcon with him as head coach. Patric Phiri has been fired so many times for letting Us down, and I don’t think He’ll help Us at a time like this. Chiliz and Ba muzo, If you really thought that We were going to make it to the second stage in last years Afcon, then you have you no right to criticize the current coach. I’d rather We lose a game and realize our weaknesses than beat a team like Sudan and suddenly think We are better than Egypt or Ghana or Cameroon. After last years Afcon I had decided to stop following Zambian football, because I could not understand why players like Nketani were in the starting line for 4 consecutive years. Do you even know why We lost 5-1 to Cameroon? or 4-1 to Tunisia in 2004?and that was an embarrassing outing (that performance was unacceptable), He did make changes for the Egyptian match but after 4 years of horrible defending by Nkentani and squad. What was Patric Phiri thinking when He included this chap in his team. Ba muzo and Squad must have a short memory or something, because I would not bring up Afcon 06 and 08. Even though We have lost 3 games in a row, We have put up a good fight (not 5-1 performances). Just admit that Egypt and Algeria are better than us and come down to earth. Ba Muzo do your research or asking someone before you write any articles.
Gametime12 on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 6:30 PM
@Chamz the funny thing is that these people praise Patric Phiri as if We won the Afcon with him as head coach. Patric Phiri has been fired so many times for letting Us down, and I don’t think He’ll help Us at a time like this. Chiliz and Ba muzo, If you really thought that We were going to make it to the second stage in last years Afcon, then you have you no right to criticize the current coach. I’d rather We lose a game and realize our weaknesses than beat a team like Sudan and suddenly think We are better than Egypt or Ghana or Cameroon. After last years Afcon I had decided to stop following Zambian football, because I could not understand why players like Nketani were in the starting line for 4 consecutive years. Do you even know why We lost 5-1 to Cameroon? or 4-1 to Tunisia in 2004?and that was an embarrassing outing (that performance was unacceptable), He did make changes for the Egyptian match but after 4 years of horrible defending by Nkentani and squad. What was Patric Phiri thinking when He included this chap in his team. Ba muzo and Squad must have a short memory or something, because I would not bring up Afcon 06 and 08. Even though We have lost 3 games in a row, We have put up a good fight (not 5-1 performances). Just admit that Egypt and Algeria are better than us and come down to earth. Ba Muzo do your research or asking someone before you write any articles.
Gametime12 on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 6:30 PM
Testing 1,2
@Chamz the funny thing is that these people praise Patric Phiri as if We won the Afcon with him as head coach. Patric Phiri has been fired so many times for letting Us down, and I don’t think He’ll help Us at a time like this. Chiliz and Ba muzo, If you really thought that We were going to make it to the second stage in last years Afcon, then you have you no right to criticize the current coach. I’d rather We lose a game and realize our weaknesses than beat a team like Sudan and suddenly think We are better than Egypt or Ghana or Cameroon. After last years Afcon I had decided to stop following Zambian football, because I could not understand why players like Nketani were in the starting line for 4 consecutive years. Do you even know why We lost 5-1 to Cameroon? or 4-1 to Tunisia in 2004?and that was an embarrassing outing (that performance was unacceptable), He did make changes for the Egyptian match but after 4 years of horrible defending by Nkentani and squad. What was Patric Phiri thinking when He included this chap in his team. Ba muzo and Squad must have a short memory or something, because I would not bring up Afcon 06 and 08. Even though We have lost 3 games in a row, We have put up a good fight (not 5-1 performances). Just admit that Egypt and Algeria are better than us and come down to earth. Ba Muzo do your research or asking someone before you write any articles.
Gametime12 on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 6:30 PM
Testing 1,2,3
@Chamz the funny thing is that these people praise Patric Phiri as if We won the Afcon with him as head coach. Patric Phiri has been fired so many times for letting Us down, and I don’t think He’ll help Us at a time like this. Chiliz and Ba muzo, If you really thought that We were going to make it to the second stage in last years Afcon, then you have you no right to criticize the current coach. I’d rather We lose a game and realize our weaknesses than beat a team like Sudan and suddenly think We are better than Egypt or Ghana or Cameroon. After last years Afcon I had decided to stop following Zambian football, because I could not understand why players like Nketani were in the starting line for 4 consecutive years. Do you even know why We lost 5-1 to Cameroon? or 4-1 to Tunisia in 2004?and that was an embarrassing outing (that performance was unacceptable), He did make changes for the Egyptian match but after 4 years of horrible defending by Nkentani and squad. What was Patric Phiri thinking when He included this chap in his team. Ba muzo and Squad must have a short memory or something, because I would not bring up Afcon 06 and 08. Even though We have lost 3 games in a row, We have put up a good fight (not 5-1 performances). Just admit that Egypt and Algeria are better than us and come down to earth. Ba Muzo do your research or asking someone before you write any articles.
Gametime on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 6:34 PM
I was reffering to Afcon 2006 when we lost 4-1 to Tunisia
Independent on Wed, 14th Oct 2009 12:03 AM
The best solution is
1.Dissolve current FAZ executive and call for fresh elections.FAZ councellors must use their brains and elect administrators who understand local football better like Hanif Adams.
2.New FAZ executive must put forward a 5 year plan to improve to improve the low football standards in the country.The focus should be on improving football in the local schools,amateur and professional league.Introduce more competitions and training at this level
3.Disband senior national team for the next five years.
4.Concentrate on building the U- 20 and U-17 national teams in preparation for 2014 AFCON qualifiers which start in 2012.Use the youngsters even if they lose their games.They will be ready for the 2014 qualifiers.
4.Retain Renard as technical adviser and then employ two local coaches to drill the U-17 and U-20 teams.
Muta on Wed, 14th Oct 2009 5:07 AM
@Gametime12
A loose is a loose regardles of the score. Even great teams like Real Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Barcelona suffer dissapointing defeats of 4-1, 5-1, 6-1, 4-0. Any team or coach will take a 5-1 bushing than three straight 1-0 defeats. HR has lost 3 highly competitive games in a row, two at home and one away. What’s a good fight when you don’t have nothing to show for it???
I will take that you watch a lot of football and yet you don’t understand the principles of the game. There is a always a reason for loosing 5-1, 4-1,1-0 but you can’t give a reason for loosing 3 games in a row. You can blame the players for loosing 5-1, but you can’t blame the players for loosing three games in a row.
Algeria and Egypt are better sides because they have better coaches. If HR is that good why cant he prove that with results. HR is no were near the likes of Patrick Phiri. the only reason you think HR is better is because of his nationality, take that away from him he would have been fired a long time ago. The man has never won anything or produced any convincing results.
For the record Zambia national soccer team is not an under 10 side, if only you understand what I mean.
Gametime12 on Wed, 14th Oct 2009 6:00 AM
Muta did you watch the matches I’m talking about?: all those goals were silly mistake that you don’t expect anyone at that level to make. Muta tell me whats the reason for bringing back Patric Phiri? What makes you think We’ll win Afcon with Patric Phiri as coach this time around, and no I’ve been playing football all my life. Zambia lost to Algeria and Egypt these are better teams than Us, just check the history Muta. Egypt and Algeria have always been beating Us, so why you crying.
Gametime12 on Wed, 14th Oct 2009 6:11 AM
@Muta did you even watch the matches I’m talking about?: all those goals were silly mistake that you don’t expect anyone at that level to make. Muta tell me whats the reason for bringing back Patric Phiri? What makes you think We’ll win Afcon with Patric Phiri as coach this time around, and no I’ve been playing football all my life. Zambia lost to Algeria and Egypt because their players are better than ours, just check the history Muta. Egypt and Algeria have always been beating Us, so why you crying. You are the same people that kicked Patric Phiri out, do us all a favour Muta either you take the heat or find some other sport. Our goal should not be beating teams like Sudan, cause thats what We did under Patric Phiri. When was the last time We ever made it to the quarter finals at Afcon? and your man failed two times in a row and that should be as bad as losing 3 games in a row or even worse. How do you expect to score a goal when your best player shoots like an infant, Ka kalaba no power in his shot.
Chamz on Wed, 14th Oct 2009 7:50 AM
Simataa backs Renard
Written by Namatama Mundia
FOOTBALL administrator Simataa Simataa yesterday said Chipolopolo coach Herve Renard should be given a chance to complete his task. And Simataa has said the poor state of the national soccer team following successive defeats in competitive matches was reflective of problems within the football system in the country.
In an interview, Simataa said Renard should be allowed to finish his task since it is just a couple of weeks before Chipolopolo play Rwanda in the concluding Africa/World Cup qualifier in Kigali on November 14.
“Renard should complete the job, then depending on the results [against Rwanda], he should be able to look within himself,” he said.
“The team should not lose, it’s either they draw or a win will even be better.”
Simataa, who is also Zambia Football Coaches Association (ZAFCA) general secretary, added that he would not encourage any local coach to replace Renard in an event the Frenchman was sacked or suspended.
“I wouldn’t encourage anyone to replace him [Renard]. Let’s wait for the Rwanda match and thereafter the decision to keep or sack him will be made,” he said.
Simataa said he would be surprised to see any local coaches take up Renard’s position.
“What are they going to change?” he asked “Right now, lets not disturb Renard.”
Simataa said the match against Rwanda should be prepared in its own right.
“People should put their heads together to come up with specific solutions,” he said.
The Amakumbi founder and coach said last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Egypt should be reviewed.
“There is need to review the entire game so that we exactly know where we went wrong,” he said. “We need to conduct a postmortem to know what happened, its done worldwide.”
Meanwhile, Simataa has said Chipolopolo’s scoring problem is just a symptoms of the happenings in the game.
“Scoring problems can be addressed in one week, it’s just a symptom of the problems,” he said.
Simataa said the poor state of the national team is due to a number of factors among them, lack of enterprising players.
“It’s a number of things, we have to look at players who come up with various characteristics, we need to look at the football administration, equipment, sponsorship, league structure…” he said.
Simataa said the country needed managers to administer the game of football.
FAZ was by press time yesterday locked up in an emergency executive committee meeting with other members advocating for the suspension of Renard and the entire technical bench.
Muta on Wed, 14th Oct 2009 8:01 AM
@Gametine12
Do think that the current national team can beat Sudan? before youn say a word who booted Zambian out of CECAFA
last year?
Did you know that Zambia under PP had 4 points from 3 games at the 2008 AFCON and the teams that finished above Zambia went on to play in the finals. Do you know that Zambia under HR has accumulated 4 points from 5 games. Do you also know that Zambia under Kalu had qualified for AFCON at this stage of the qualification in 2005? Do you also know that Zambia under PP had 9 points at this stage suring the 2004 AFCON qualifiers despite not qualifying. Do you also know that Zambia has never lost 3 games in a row during any qualifying compaign?
Bonaventure on Wed, 14th Oct 2009 10:48 AM
Let Herve stay. You cannot expect a Nissan match to beat a BMW even if the car has been serviced. We will still qualify for Angola. It wasn’t just our day.
LISTERSI TRAVELLED FROM BOTS TO SEE THE MATCH LIVE. I ARRIVED 2 DAYS BEFORE THET GAME AND THE FIRST TEAM ARE THE ONES WHO IMPRESSED HERVE. I WATCHED THE TWO TRAINING SESSIONS AT KPF. I AM LEAVING FOR BOTS TO,OROW NITE. I AM IN LUANSHYA SEEING MATES AND PARENTS. MY NUMBER IS 0969203680. MUZO,JOZE I WILL BE IN LUSAKA BY LUNCH 2MOROW.
Muta on Wed, 14th Oct 2009 12:22 PM
@Amuna Onzuna………………. I thought you had something to say. I don’t think you need a brain to understand that HR is useless.
Chamz on Wed, 14th Oct 2009 1:04 PM
Rwanda need to beat us 4-0 to qualify. The positive thing is we only losing by 1-0 margins. Patrick Phiri is not for modern football. Guys if you suggest local coaches give me fresh blood like Wada Wada, Fighton, I would rather Mattew Phiri at Arrows then Patrick
Chamz on Wed, 14th Oct 2009 1:07 PM
I am very surprised with you guys, we still lost with Sinkala and no one is saying anything. I said before the problem was scoring. HR must swallow his pride and bring boys from Arrows and Zesco who have scored in African competitions.
Amuna Onzuna on Wed, 14th Oct 2009 3:52 PM
@Muta,
I know the Zambian game and its problems.It seems you forget so easily,Zambian Coaches are easily compromised,you shall soon be wanting an expertriate Coach.If you want improvements in Soccer,start the program of sponsoring Primary school football,you shall sort out the problems of scoring.
Amuna Onzuna on Wed, 14th Oct 2009 4:17 PM
Lets go back to the Basics,Primary school Football will redeem Zambia.We shall produce Players of Quality and become better.Football is all about losing,Togo just lost to Japan 5-0, Senegal lost 2-0 but nobody celebrates failure.Lets just do the right thing,not calling the Coach useless,what will you call him if we trounce Rwanda 4-0? and go on to reach the Quater-finals of CAN2010 in Angola?.
Gametime12 on Wed, 14th Oct 2009 7:46 PM
Muta We’ve been beating easy teams, and We had enough talent at that time. Plus you are not looking at the bigger picture, you only choose to read what you want to read. I was criticizing Patric Phiri’s team selection, Kalu had failed with that defence and patric Phiri went on to use the same chaps. I was questioning his adding of Nkentani and crew in the starting line up, when He had Chintu Kampamba on the bench. I don’t know how you want me to break this down for you, We are in the toughest group, losing 3 games is understandable when you play good teams in a row. According to your reasoning if We had played against Rwanda in between the games against Algeria and Egypt, and won then you would have given HR the okay to stay? Because that would mean only losing two games in a row. HR should take some of the blame for this, but our players are the biggest culprits. HR does not have much of a choice when it comes to picking players, the other coaches had a lot of talented players and failed to deliver. HR picked the best players that We have, and apparently our best is not good enough.
Gametime12 on Wed, 14th Oct 2009 7:51 PM
@Muta We’ve been beating easy teams, and We had enough talent at that time. Plus you are not looking at the bigger picture, you only choose to read what you want to read. I was criticizing Patric Phiri’s team selection, Kalu had failed with that defence and patric Phiri went on to use the same chaps. I was questioning his adding of Nkentani and crew in the starting line up, when He had Chintu Kampamba on the bench. I don’t know how you want me to break this down for you, We are in the toughest group, losing 3 games is understandable when you play good teams in a row. According to your reasoning if We had played against Rwanda in between the games against Algeria and Egypt, and won then you would have given HR the okay to stay? Because that would mean only losing two games in a row. HR should take some of the blame for this, but our players are the biggest culprits. HR does not have much of a choice when it comes to picking players, the other coaches had a lot of talented players and failed to deliver. HR picked the best players that We have, and apparently our best is not good enough.