Watch out for Zambia & Gabon, Renard warns ‘Big Guns.’
- Friday, January 8, 2010, 15:21
- Latest News
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Renard believes his team will reach the quarter finals.
Chipolopolo Boys trainer Herve Renard has warned Group D big guns Cameroon and Tunisia to look out for Zambia and Gabon as the both countries are capable of upsetting the tables at the African Cup of Nations which kickoff this Sunday.
The Frenchman also said that his lads ‘are not going to Angola just to participate’ but to ‘progress to the second round.’
And Chipolopolo Boys skipper Chris Katongo has said Zambia’s first game against Tunisia could determine the team’s fate in Africa’s biggest soccer piece. He cautioned his teammates to take each game as it comes.
“To be fair everyone is talking about Cameroon because they have qualified to the World Cup and Tunisia,” Renard said in an interview with Supersport referring to a notion that Cameroon and Tunisia are favourites to advance to the quarter finals from the group.
“But Gabon and us are also tough. Yes we are the smaller teams in the group but I think this group will be tough.
The 41 year old who is making a debut at Nations Cup as head coach having been assistant coach of the Black Stars to his ‘God father’ Claude LeRoy at the previous Nations Cup went on to add,” We are not going to Angola to just participate in the Africa Cup.
“We have to be ambitious and our target is to reach the second round (quarter final). It won’t be easy but this is football,” Renard dispelled the perception that the Chipolopolo will not be going past the group stage.
“We are working really very hard; the players’ commitment is perfect.
On the teams’ preparation in Johannesburg, Renard described it as ‘fantastic and perfect.’
“When I am in South Africa I think I am in Europe. The facilities are fantastic and pitch (training) is perfect. It is just (pitch) five minutes away from the hotel and we don’t have to loose spend too much time on travelling.
Meanwhile Zambia’s International friendly match against South Korea is scheduled to be played at Rand Stadium in Johannesburg with kick off at 16:00 hours on Saturday.
Do you think Zambia will go past the group stage? Have your say
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Your friends are aiming to lift the cup but you, you are just aiming to go past the group stage. Ba Zambia what a shame.
Its like telling umwana to aim for grade seven exams only. Be ambitious guys.
I don’t think we will go past the group stage
bakambwanga imwe mwilanda ifibi pali ba ZAMBIA besu. i fwe ni zambia always
iye chipoloplo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nagu kuba Realistic nifi i think we have a very wrong coach pantu after fouty something years of independence we can not be aiming for only the second round. Shame on Faz
iwe Zelumbwe you sound like a foreigner. were you born in Zimbabwe or Congo Just shut up. how do you expect your child to pass when all you can do is discourage him/her a week before the exam. Yendele iwe Ngwele!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
poor planning will cost us in angola…..already our HR is busy thinking about the second round and not the first game against tunisa……
HR PE intrusctor, I know you will fail us again like have always failed us to even small teams like Zanziba but after Africa cup exit in first pliz do Zamabia a fever pack your bags and go togather with your employer.
i will watch Africa cup games without Zeel, passion and sense of belonging becoz my team, Country soccer squads do not deserve to be there, we dont have a team late alone coach and worse of with management. We are just a bunch of mere pretends lacking purpose, direction and Vision. We are going there to add numbers.
Big Steve, Billy is any of you going to check out the game tomorrow at the Rand Stadium? Please let me know so we can link up.
pa last zambia mwela onse bigge,elo the so called big guns shud jst wait & see coz we kno that they jst want 2 intimidate our youthfull side.GO ZAMBIA GO!!!!!!!!!
lets wait and seeeeeeeeee
HR is not a dreamer.He is realistic abt our progress.To be ambitious does nt mean we should be blind to reality.
Our players will put in their best.If it wont be gud enough we will still be proud of their effort.
here comes katongo at the center circle,passed the ball to kalaba,kalaba turns 360 degrees and passz a long shot to mbesuma,he move double one to close looking dangerous,he beats a his maker and passed to changama,chamanga hummerrrrrrr
its over the barrrr unbelieveble,this why we cant win and we never win.i can see from the clowd that HR is very dissapointed shaking his head and asking,why did i become coach at this time when these guys aint scoring?
sign sign umwensonifwa we dont need be afraid of any team .Every team is beatable go zambia go
Zambia has no quality players to lift the Afcon 2nd round is fair
One step at a time
Why do you think that?
I think we have the ability to go past the group stage even further.
Let us believe in Our Team and the Coach.First round matches are not easy at all,thats why HR is simply saying ‘Once we overcome the Group Stage,then the knock outs can be a lottery.So,any Trainer or Coach will tell you that,they want to take each game as it comes.Did you read what the Nigerians are targeting?,Next Round,thats what Amodu(their Coach) is targeting because they know thats the Biggest huddle.In Football,you dont show off by talking alot because you can get shocked afterwards(a Good example is the Zam vs Algeria match where HR & the Algerian Coach were fighting on who the ‘Real Fox’ is).We also saw how Egypt was humbled by Algeria even after Hassan pridicted that Egypt would hummer Algeria by 5-0.
What ability has Zambia Got we rely on miracles that all
what is wrong with zambian why cant people br alittle bit positive for once.
Come on guys.
We have chance to revenge the shamefull loss we suffered at the hands of cameroun.
And damn it we can beat tunisia and gabon.
Remember what happened in 1994. I think its possible to surprise every one.
ZAMBIA FOREVER WIN OR LOSE!!!!!!!!!
@list renard 4a change sounds more positive,i believe team Work cn help us reach very far,go renard,go zed
Mudala i saw what Amodu said for sure 1st round games are tricky in a tournament if you lose your first game it makes difficult to go further. Personally i’m positive over our team.
LATEST:
Togo National Team players bus shot at and reportedly many players injuired.
Togo footballers shot in ambush
Gunmen have opened fire with machine guns on a bus carrying Togo’s football team to the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola, wounding several players.
Officials say the shooting occurred in the Angolan area of Cabinda after the bus crossed from the Republic of Congo. There are reports of serious injuries.
Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor is unhurt, his club Manchester City said.
Togo’s first game is due on Monday in oil-rich Cabinda, where rebels have been fighting for independence.
In a statement, Manchester City said it had spoken with Adebayor, who was “shaken by the terrible events” but “unharmed”.
Adebayor was not among those wounded
The bus was travelling to Cabinda from the squad’s training ground in Congo when the shooting occurred.
Those injured also include team doctors. The identities of the injured are not known.
Africa Cup of Nations officials described the attackers as armed robbers.
Togo striker Thomas Dossevi told France’s RMC radio that several players were “in a bad state”.
“We were machine-gunned, like dogs,” he said. “At the border with Angola – machine-gunned! I don’t know why. I thought it was some rebels. We were under the seats of the bus for 20 minutes, trying to get away from the bullets.”
Togo are due to play Ghana, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast in their group matches. Their first game is against Ghana.
kwena bututu
Awe chachine ba justice,why would you do something like that…
ba fikala batutu aba
@Justice Kafusha
This is sad! ya, Talk about self inflicted wounds!!! Where is the security?? If Togo pulls out i wont be suprised, hope they for the best for the Togolese and them!!
with the world cup taking place this side,a lot of questions will be raised,already there are security concerns…
Jojo when i heard about the attack that’s what came into my mind that with the W.C in this area aba nsungu manje ni issue. Imagine the Germans were already thiking of coming with bullet prooff vests.
It was not wise of the Togolese to use a bus from Drc. Though I’m not blaming them. The guys who did this are sick though.
I hope the AFCON won’t be called off, bcoz this is serious to the safety of 15 visiting national teams.
If the’ll be teams to pull out in this AFCON, Due to security reasons, then egypt and tunisia the’ll be the first ones, because after missing out on the WORLD CUP. They have never been interested in playing any games and they are only partispating to avoid the ban from FIFA.
It is a big blow for African football. They had Mark Gleeson on the phone Sky Sports a few minutesago and he was saying the exact same thing about the implications on Africa hosting the WC. Already some clubs are demanding that their players should be sent back unless security can be guaranteed as if anyone in the world can do that. As it is, the Europeans are not too chuffed about the timing of the AFCON, this will just worsen the situation.
Sad day indeed!!!
Shooter already guys like the former Togo coach are calling for the tournament to be called off. It looks like outside forces would wants the games called off. Only 2 players were injured though according to latest reports. This is not Good for Africa. But I believe the tournament is going on. The ivorians arrived safely in Angola and they ready to go.
The short answer is FAZ
We are rubbish on and off the pitch. Let’s stop flattering ourselves
sad 4da togo players who r injured,i wish them well,i hop dis wl nt affect their game plan.
@Sibs
Agreed. There is too much at stake for the tournament to be cancelled. I am sure CAF and FIFA will want to see this as a “one-off” incident.
I think the best response would be the enthusiastic African spirit amidst such drawbacks
There are 9 wounded players including 2 players (apparently they are seriuously injuried) and the bus driver died in this stupid gun attack…. It won’t improve the popularity of this AFCON
and it won’t improve the image of Africa to the rest of the world on this year of World Cup in SA… And even if it is two very different situations, you can’t prevent people from thinking this way…. What were the organization committee and security comitee doing, and, first of all, who is crazy enough to open fire on football players coming to play a GAME and give HAPPINESS to people….??!! This is really sad….
Atleast they are doing everything possible to make sure the team is well prepared for the africa cup…
Damwinger yes we need some enthusiasm from the organisers,Caf and big boys like Drogba,Etoo to speak out and condemn the incident and say we carry on. I’m sure Caf are working on it.
I agree with you Fifa and Caf can’t allow the tournament to be cancelled there is a lot at stake.
According to BBC report in Angola, the tournament officials was waiting for TOGO at the airport together with security forces, but only for TOGO officials to decide and transport the Team by road with their own hired security without informing the tournament officials, and they were shocked to hear that the team is already in Angola and attacked.
if any team is beatable is cameroon if i remember correctely last time we played all four goals were gefted due to the panic of zambian defence when they saw the firt goal by geremi they panicd but aver all we were a better side only if we had score firs it would have been different story. i’m just hoping that this time our difence will be ok, by the way chintu should start. can’t wait january 13TH
Hahaha i wish it was zambia!!!
The reason why Zambia will not make it past the group stages.
HR
We have a coach who is still learning his trade. He lucks maturity and experience to guide us to AFCON glory. HR has used more than 72 players since his appointment as coach. One of the reasons why we have failed to score goals and win games is the luck of consistence in his team selection. We have seen certain players like Mbesuma being called for only home games and left out during away fixtures. We also have seen the likes of Clifford and other players left out because they could not fit in his formation. We have seen the likes of Tana being sidelined just because he had a poor game at CHAN. Even the likes of “Gatusso” has only played less than 3 games under HR.
Why are all these players called now? How are they going to fit into the team? Are the likes of Clifford and “Gatusso” going to play an important role at AFCON? Is Mbesuma now going to play in away fixtures or is it because he scored a goal against Mozambique?
What happens if we loose or draw the first game? Are certain players going to be left out because they missed a penalty or sitter? or because they scored an own goal?
By now HR should have established his first 11. It is sad they i can not pick countries first 11 when i can pick Nerthalands, Spain, Portugal, England, Brazil, France, Ivory Coast and Australia’s first 11 players.
Muta you are very right bro!!HR is not taking us anywhere.
I love the positivity from one HR and this is what we need to hear at a critical moment,i guess this is how life goes,initially it was HR who was negative and everyone was positive about zambia but today its the opposite-YABA It is extremely that we get through the group stage cos that is key to reaching the finals so HR is spot on with his ambition and realism. Some bloggers have tried to justify why we cant go past the group stage but as far as am concerned no one can justify this totally misplaced notion.Zambia nimbama. Gentlemen we have to condemn the attack against Togo with clean and sober language.
Increadible.. If we have a national moto saying win or lose Zambia Chipolopolo… How do we expect to win the tournament?… What a shame for a nation spending money on something that will have no positive result… What a shame! All the best lads.!
How have we moved over the years from being second in Africa to being a team whose main purpose of going to AFCON is to proove that we are not underdogs?
@ Sholez you are right bakamba…this so called coach we have is something else mwandi,he is only interested in reaching the 2nd round thats upgrading his C.V. nishi taishiba ati Zambia has reach muma finals before, for us Zambians the only thing remaining is lifting the AFCON.If Chipolopolo do wounders in Angola its not because HR but it will be through our prayers and the co-ordination by the players.Amen guyz
Sad news for Togo. Zambia will pass through all stages upto the final. God bless Zambia Chipolopolo…
Mwe bantu plizi!!! Just because someone says second round ninshi you think the idea is to get to qtr finals and then pack our bags. Any body operating in a business or even simple tasks sets targets….. Right now our overall objective is to win the africa cup, but our initial target is to get to the second round. You cannot win AFCON without doing so…and lets face facts…going to the second round is an improvement… 14 yrs no second round… this is not the zambia of old and until we accept that we need to improve..and accept the little steps that need to be taken for us to finish the journey then there is no point..because you will never be satisfied. People here are asking for us to be giants overnight..yes we used to run and jump..but now we are at square one..learning to walk and the second round of AFCON is the firt step. And lets top arguing about HRs CV the man is leaving Zambia eventually ifwe we’ll still be here…Zambian as hell…and in this interview HR hasn’t said anything wrong (surprisingly)
Firstly, i would like to say that am deeply touched over the tragedy the befell the Togolese team. Its a bad of averting anger on inocent lives like that.but again its a lesson to the Togolese FA next to make proper travel arrangements for the team. We leant our lesson in 1993 when the entire cream of our team perished on the coast of the atlantic ocean killing every on the BUFFALO PLANE. Back to wat to what i wanted to say. I want to make aprediction on the game between zambia and tunisia. Zambia 2 Tunisia 1. And we’re beating south korea today . Go chipolopolo
YES ZAMBIA WILL REACH QUARTER FINALS
We are wining Go chipolopolo,go zambia.
@Awe
AFCON does not second round like the world cup. teams qualify straight to the quarter finals once the group stages are finalized.
For Zambia to reach the quarter finals we have to look at a minimum of at least 5 points or 6 points. The question is, at current form, can Zambia beat Gabon, Tunisia and/or Cameron?
In my opinion if HR will do a great job and will over achieve if he manages to guide Zambia to the quarter finals. If Zambia gets to the quarter finals this AFCON will be a huge success for both HR and the country.
On the other hand I still think that HR will still do a good job if he manages to accumulate at least 4 points during the group stages, whether this takes us to the quarter finals or not will still be a good result considering our current form and the players we have.
Our Team
We do not have leaders and mature players in our team. We needed the experience of players like Tana and Sinkala. In 2008 we really missed the leadership of Tana in defense during that 5-1 bashing by Cameron. I still believe that if Sinkala and Tana were available during AFCON 2008 Zambia would have made it to the quarter finals.
@Awe
AFCON does not have second round stage like the world cup. teams directly qualify to the quarter finals from each group.
For Zambia to reach the quarter finals we have to look at a minimum of at least 5 or 6 points. The question is, at current form, can Zambia beat Gabon, Tunisia and/or Cameron?
In my opinion HR will do a great job and will over achieve if he manages to guide Zambia to the quarter finals. If Zambia gets to the quarter finals at this years AFCON it will be a huge success for both HR and the country.
On the other hand I still think that HR will still do a good job if he manages to accumulate at least 4 points during the group stages, whether this takes us to the quarter finals or not will still be a good result considering our current form and the players.
Our Team
We do not have leaders and mature players in our team. We needed the experience of players like Tana and Sinkala. In 2008 we really missed the leadership of Tana in defense during that 5-1 bashing by Cameron. I still believe that if Sinkala and Tana were available during AFCON 2008 Zambia would have made it to the quarter finals.
Again pipo you over rating PE instructor, show me his success or track record, there is nothing we can talk about which can motivate me to support Zambia. The problems we have are self inflicting HR by his biased selection and worse off the management at FAZ leaves much to be desired with.
They must go after our first round elimination, Zambia will not go beyond first round period, Kalu and HR you are surely killing our beautiful game. This Africa, I will save myself from heart acres by supporting pipo who are serious Ivory Coast
Any update and info on the game today? I’m hoping it’s going to be streamed seeing as it’s South Korea involved and a full blown friendly.
Feel sad for Togo and Angola…
Kick off is at 16:30 hours…
if u were to say something about your team; you only have three better choices at most; one, to wish you team well, two, to give advice on how best it can achieve the desired results and three, to remain silent … any other may be ‘just offside’ … Vva my Chipolopolo no matter what … God bless us all, the Republic
sad … after the attack on the Togolese players … news flowing in shows they are pulling out …. sad development
Togo, pulls out of AFCON. BBC news
A VERY SAD DEVELOPMENT FOR AFRICAN FOOTBALL THAT TOGO HAVE WITHDRAWN FROM THE CUP OF NATIONS.
You know when this came on skysports as breaking news I was in a pub and it was very weird how everyone in the pub was staring at me Like I was involved in the shooting but when I looked around again I realized I was the only black guy in the pub .But yes going back to the incident that took place yesterday I think the Angolans have to step up there security for the players, fans and all the officials involved the tournament
Gentlemen we at Rand Stadium teams warming up. I’m using a BlackBerry will try to give you some updates. The won’t be coming up quick bt will yet my best.
Kennedy,Nyirenda,Muzo,Sunzu,Chintu,William N,
Kalaba,Chamanga,Chris,Jacob,Felix to start.
nice one ba sibs..we r counting on u.
We are monitoring you closely my bro. keep the info coming.
the proceeds are underway
sibs, we want a mental pic, wat r the chipolopolo wearing and the koreans?
guys wat hr is saying is correct, you cannot start preparing for grade 12 exams while you are in grade 6, you prepare for grade 7.aiming for 2nd round is good, after that we ll start preparing for semifinals.
Zambian in green and S.K in red and white. Good number of zambians and a lot of Koreans they actually have drums. National anthems on.
the game kicked off.
Chamanga looks lively he almost scored from Muxo cross.
which team has sored guys?
Chamanga looks lively he almost scored from Muxo cross. We have scored Feligo 25 mtrs out what a shot like the game Togo at Chillis.
zambia 1..korea o!
go zambia go !!!!!!!
we ll upset the giants next week.we have the chance of reaching the finals. i can foresee that.
hw many minutes played so far?
We are dominating. Chamanga hit another shot after 1-2 with Jacob. Koreans coming into the game.
did kalaba jus score????????????????????
yes!…zambia 2!!!
We have scored Kalaba makes it 2-0
Koreans had a freekick on the edge. Spoiled by their striker.
William Njovu looks a bit suspect at right back.
sibs! whats are the results as at now?
mphatso, any updates,
Jacob’s shot missed the up right after an exchange of pases by Zambia. William is overlapping well. Felix injured in a tussle.
2-1 after a freekick came off the post. Rebound scored.
Felix out injured chivuta in. Injury not serious I think.
half time, 2-1
Chris,James,Nyirenda,Felix impressed so far. I see why Gattuso is not playing. Sunzu so far has not shown some nerves. Chintu solid. Half time.
Nyirenda has been my Man of the Match so far the boy looks cofortable on the ball. Guys what number does he play at club level? I’m sorry Isaacs fans this boy is just doing it.
The Koreans coming into the game. The are a technical side not so skillful. Great save by Kennedy we were in trouble.
3-1 Chamanga after a cross from the left by Muzo.
Mbesuma and Mayuka in Chamanga and Jacob out. 25 mins to go
Penalty after Mayuka was fouled genuine penalty. Great turn by Mayuka before he was fouled. Chivuta scores after penalty retaken. 4-1
4-2 they have scored ama Ks.
4 minutes injury time added. Sorry guys can’t read your comments I’m just sending.
@Sibs
What is the final score line
@Muta
Muta my brother you are are spot on these are exactly the same points I raised the time we lost to zanzibar and I was Shot down and criticised by gametime saying HR is right we have no character or our players have no character personally I think how do you develop character when you dont know if you are going to play tomorrow .This guy HR is a jocker his has stop playing his household names such as Dennis banda and francis kasonde due mistakes they made in one match instead of showing faith and belief in them this is blow to there confidence .This is big problem HR has he thinks our players are Robots he does not look at the psychological aspect of the game .Anyways I will stop here before I bore you with my frustrations of the mismanagement of our squad I a m still behind chipolopolo wheather Renard is charge or not .
what a brace from mbesuma this will boost his morale and chamanga had a wonderful game watch out for thomas nyirenda
Angola blew it, giving up 4 goals in less than 10 minutes to fulltime!!
yet bet zambia will go to round of 16 i said so in dec 2009 and i am saying so NOW!!
VIVA CHIPOLOPOLO VIVA!!!!!!!!!!