February 2, 2012
FOR many soccer fans, Sudan-based striker Jonas Sakuwaha could be a key inclusion in Zambia’s team that plays Sudan in Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final.
But coach Herve Renard thinks otherwise.
“Is Sakuwaha bigger than Zambia?” was Renard’s response yesterday when asked if the striker could add extra impetus in the Chipolopolo’s team against Sudan.
“Me, I don’t care about the name of the person but the performance one puts in training,” Renard said.
Sakuwaha has a large following in Sudan having helped that country’s biggest club El Merreikh win the 2011 league championship. He also bagged the Golden Boot with 19 league goals in 26 appearances.
The gangly forward did not play in any of Zambia’s three group matches at the on-going Africa Cup of Nations finals which have now entered the knockout stage.
Meanwhile, defender Kampamba Chintu sat out yesterday’s training session at Estadio Machinda stadium, about 25km out of Bata, while goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene was restricted to light workouts.
Chintu had a ligament problem but Renard said the defender should be back in full training tomorrow.
“Mweene it was a light training because he has been tired. We have two more goalkeepers, which is good for us. Chintu has problem with his tendon and will have to rest for 48 hours,” Renard said.
Meanwhile, Renard says Zambia will be cautious against Sudan because the Chipolopolo have a huge task of getting to the semi-final berth for the first time in 16 years.
The coach said any team’s target at the tournament is to finish first or second in the group stage for qualification to the quarter-final and now the focus will be to get to the semi-finals.
Renard said Egypt won three consecutive Africa Cup titles with a squad mostly comprising home-grown players and Sudan have shown strength with the squad comprising local-based players.
“It’s not by chance, but I think they deserve to be there (in quarter-finals) and we are going to be careful. We will do everything and we will be able to die a little on the pitch to get qualification.
“It is 16 years and Zambia have not reached the semi-finals and I think it is enough. The huge target is we would like to go back to Zambia with the cup,” a confident Renard said
37 Comments on "Renard: Sakuwaha must earn his place"
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ife ndife ba zambia on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 12:54 PM
dont die a little.how are you going to play if you will die a little.?
john on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 1:04 PM
Sakuwaha can play as a winger or striker so zambia has plenty of strength in depth in those areas. My biggest concern is with the dismissal of cliffold who can replace kalaba if he gets hurt or tired? I think Renard should have put the interests of the nation first and punished the boy after the africa cup. Another player who I think is a bit indisciplined is Mbesuma. The guy is so fat he can barely run. The fact that he is failing to control his weight it shows a total lack of discipline. Anyhow Renard could have fined cliffold and then given him a 1 year ban after afcon. Sending cliffold home is a bit reckless. We also have to understand the players were happy. Its normal for a human to experience joy after a big achievement. I think Renard was a bit harsh here.
Maite & Man City on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 1:05 PM
Dont be like Wenger who refuse to identify deadly strikers. Saku on his day can contribute 2 goals in a match.This guy can play much better than Chisamba Lungu.
Uzzi on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 1:09 PM
Herve Renard SC(State Counsel) lol,you are really doing a good job both during games en outside games. Firstly,your positive mind en attitude in approaching matches is very encouraging to us soccer fans. I like it that you are in no way underrating the Sudanese but rather taking this game cautiously knowing that it is now or never for Zambia to bring the cup home. I believe your team en you ba Renard can bring the cup home en we will honor you with the GRAND EAGLE AWARD(m not sure what they call it..lol) that was also given to Dandy Crazy by HE M.C Sata with immediate effect upon your return.
Go Zambia Go!!
Master Gunnery Sargeant on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 1:11 PM
Renard that is well said. Sakuwaha needs to earn his place. Merit should always be the deciding factor for a player to be on the pitch
The Nile Crocodiles should be sent back to Khartoum. Pierce the Nile Crocodiles, Chipolopolo. Yes we need to be cautious cause the stakes are now much greater. A semi final berth after a 16 year hiatus
Chipolopolo all the way
Go Chipolopolo Go
Mabbwana on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 1:22 PM
Sounds like a response out of proportion.
I guess he is also feeling the pressure of playing Saku even for psychological reasons. I am sure he just trying to cover his tracks as he knows that most fans think that it would be great to give the gangling forward even a few minutes to run at the Sudanese defenders who failed to stop him in their league.
No pressure on you Mr. Renard, we believe you know your players and you will make the decision as to who plays and doesnt play in the best interest of the team.
Soccerguru on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 1:31 PM
Renard Mwaume!!!!! this thing of playing names has cost us dearly in the passed! i trust the coach and his ability to pick the best possible side to face the Nile Crocodiles…Saku has to graft to earn his place and show the ryt attitude… in renard we trust
Malasha on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 1:47 PM
HR is not going 2 play him at anytime in this tournament because he told him that he was not going 2 play any game at thi afcon thats why he even choose 2 go & drink wit th others.I’m sure any one can understand how he is feeling.
syd on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 1:59 PM
people dont see these guys in training everyday so you really can’t judge better than the manager plus where was he when we needed him in 2010 can?exactly now thats says it all.
Cornelius daka on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 2:01 PM
Renard z rit no sweet wdaut sweat saku has to sweat n trainin n prove hz beta dn da adz 4 a plce playn namez wont tke us anywher & tactical dspline also mataz rena wil put in playaz who wil stik to hs tactics n nt doin da oposte on da pitch n if saku went out to drnk wit da adaz to gt bck @ rena 4 lck of game tme den he doesnt dserv to play!
kabwata Dallas on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 2:22 PM
Pipo, Clifford has never been a full time players under Phiri, the Italian or HR, how can his absense affect the team if Kalaba is not there? On Saku, I dont know well but he does not come across as a humble guy like Chris, James, Jacob or Joseph Musonda. I think players who are not humble dont get game time under HR
Kay on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 2:35 PM
Dont even debate the starting line up it has no place for Sakuwaha, The team that played the last game will start that am sure about.
Malasha on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 3:10 PM
@Syd
If HR is not playing Jonas because of the 2010 afcon then why did he not just live him behand?
yu on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 3:11 PM
until the coach feels its him & not the fans playing saku, he wont play him. We are being unfair to saku by making noises for him.
kiza on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 3:13 PM
HR is a big timer Joker.A right thinking football coach can not ignore Saku.
Let us not be carried away with the wins so far.We need to be objective always even where good results are coming our way.Saku can offload some of the pressure from Chris and this can create better opportunities for scoring.HR shud check his mouth when responding to issues.We shall continue speaking for Saku,he is our brother and not this muzungu who dumped us for oil in Angola.HR shud know that he is no good coach except that our boys have been together for long and the fruits are beginning to show.
Go Zambia Go.
Kasanda collins on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 3:29 PM
We ar nt against celebration bt de extend wz bd 4 cliford. Lets respect coach s opinion
Anonymous on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 3:41 PM
Whats wrong with us kanshi? has HR said he won’t play saku or he simply said he has to earn his place…Please leave the coach alone to do his job
simms on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 4:28 PM
bane lets jst wait and see the job get done. After Sudan its Tunisia then Gabon in the final…
Diedogg on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 4:32 PM
@ Kiza, mmmmmm kwena r u a racist or a soccer fan? The coach knows what is best for him and the team, do you think he is using the other players to loose? Leave him alone and please let us mind our words as we have brothers and sisters all over the world (not just playing soccer but other things too). Another ati they have just being together for a long time, then why in the first place did we even need a coach (some thinking kwena)? Any way its eyes on the ball…. CHIPOLOPOLO ALL THE WAY!
CHIMPAU1507 on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 4:39 PM
Its Renard’s job to get the results and I don’t care how he does it or which players he picks for a game as long as we get the result,the same people advocating for Saku’s inclusion will be in the forefront criticizing Renard if it backfires….Should Kalaba be unfit there are other options such as Feligoal, Chansa going upfront and playing number 8 while sum1 takes up his place, Sakuwaha coming on to play, and many more…why should you be crying about Clifford??Even if the decision to expel him was personal,let us not cry over spilt milk.I have faith in the team and come final we are lifting that trophy even without Sangoma “the Octopus’ Prediction!!
Soccerguru on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 4:43 PM
simms Gabon wont make the final…home ground advantage will only get them as far as the semis where they will be crushd by the mighty elephant…biggie nimwewo
Nshikuta Bwali on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 5:32 PM
We have been playing well and wining.This means the coach in tune with the team.So can we spare him over Clifford.Moreover,we weren’t there we don’t know exactly what on.Sakuwaha should fight for a place by impressing the coach
Amandla on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 5:34 PM
Please remain positive and stop personal attacks at this crucial hour. Never dump the team spirit!
Postive thinking...aka. .Awe on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 5:38 PM
Butti abantu can make you laugh. Zambias front line has gotten the job done so far, so why start playing someone else just because he plays in the league ku Sudan. Lets go with what we know, and if it doesn’t work then Saku can come off the bench and try to make things happen. Those guys out there are his teammates so who knows, that might even prefer having Saku on the field because they train with him and have picked up on his capabilities.
Ballers on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 9:03 PM
The truth we come out on Saturday football fans about Saku. When Saku is given the opportunity he can make a difference. He has the abilities to play and advantages due to the fact he plays in Sudanese top league. Lets hope he shows up in practices to convince the Coach. Keep Balling Saku Ke Ke Ke…
Selako Ntambe on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 9:31 PM
Does that Sakuwaha of yours good at passing ball to others or still plays same as he used to dance-amantyantya at Zesco?
HR should stick to same winning team, probably just change the goalkeeper. And not use Mbesuma & Felix in the substitutions. Better use Chamanga, Kangwa and Chivuta to finish the last 2 goals, to make it Zambia 4-1 Sudan.
syd on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 9:34 PM
@malasha,what i shld have said is that the 2010 can was his chance to show us what he can do but wanted to stay with his club to earn a long term contract which didnt happened and in doing so other players have got in front of him since than because of experience.its a squad game,just because you have 24 players doesnt mean you have to play everybody.if you win your first two games in your group thats when you give people a chance ala ivory coast.zambia didnt win the first two games so the guys who havent played yet need to raise their bar in trainign in order to get on from bench then empress and be in the starting line up for the semi.remember of we win on saturday we are gauranteed two more games.i want to see kangwa just curious how good he is.
kampombwa on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 10:23 PM
most of u guys dont knw hw foxy th fox can be ask ur self 4 whose benefit was this statement made…confusing th enemy?
The One and Only on Thu, 2nd Feb 2012 11:45 PM
The Fox..you should be Zambia’s coach for life..i like the fact you are making the team focused, disciplined and sweat for Mother Zambia..priceless
Anonymous on Fri, 3rd Feb 2012 3:40 AM
I like the chivuta chap…And how about doing something about the wasted set pieces. where is Willie Phiri to score from a corner? Freekick specialist anyone?
1 Gunner on Fri, 3rd Feb 2012 7:11 AM
da coach iz wit da playaz owez,he noz who iz fit o not so ‘leave hr alone’ guyz.yes advise b given.negatve criticism not @ dis stage.if saku iz in hiz gme plan he’ll play him if not dats so.go zed go.
1 Gunner on Fri, 3rd Feb 2012 7:19 AM
Zambia 3-0 sudan.chris,mayuka,saku/chamanga.
Evans Malata on Fri, 3rd Feb 2012 10:53 AM
BAKIZZA stop blaming the coach we are hoping for the better.
Kungu lee on Fri, 3rd Feb 2012 3:29 PM
Yes leave the coach alone kiza,if clifford and saku are your brothers its you who knows about it,but us we all know that the all zambian team is our brothers,thats why their are there to represent zambian people so 4get about clifford.the coach knows all the players very well than you.so leave him alone let him do what he knows.are you a racist or a soccer fan HR ‘vt say dat he ‘ll not play saku but you are saying that muzungu who dumped us for oil in angola wont play suku uleumfwikisha we all know that saku can offload goals but dont be a racist be a soccer fan lyk JOHN.GO zambia GO. Zam 2:1 sudan.
Ndandeko naine on Fri, 3rd Feb 2012 4:49 PM
Ba selako are you sure you watch football? from your statement,i can tell you dont watch football.How i wish you watched Cecafa where he helped his team and reach the finals and emerged Top scorer.Currently as you are trying to argue each other on saku wether his good or not,he is the Top scorer in that country Sudan and his inclusion would have made some impact becouse the team we are playing next is mainly of local players who actually know him for being good at goal and they wouldnt allow him to move freely on the pitch,allowing our teenage striker Mayuka to be free most of the times and score more goals,remember at CHAN in Ivory Coast he made Singuluma to be the top scorer by giving him those nice passes from the right wing after tearing the Ivorians.This Rennar just hates this boy,why did he pick him then at the expence of Kola who was much willing to play for mother Zambia.I know you pipo supporting him will be the first ones to critisise him when we fail to beat Sudan thats how Zambians behave,Bamuselela kwakaba.Anyway let the coach do his job.
Big Ole on Fri, 3rd Feb 2012 5:04 PM
How do you earn a place in training? Ridiculous I must say. Sakuwaha knows there players well and as a sub he can make an impact.
sizu on Sat, 4th Feb 2012 12:02 AM
lets wait for the game, too much noise making