Herve Renard has given his 100% backing to captain Christopher Katongo despite the strikers recent poor form for Zambia.
Katongo has had a subdued 2010 outing this year and was substituted in his last game for Zambia away to Algeria on September 6 that Renard’s team lost 1-0 in Blida in a 2010 World/Africa Cup Group C qualifier.
Renard said Katongo was a key player to his team who made the difference as he has shown in Germany this season for Arminia Bielefeld where he has scored 4 goals in six 2.Bundesliga games.
“It is important to have a player who can make a difference,” Renard said at Independence Stadium today where a home-based Zambia team is preparing for its October 25 Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup tournament quarterfinal match against Namibia to be played on October 25 in Harare.
“It is my job to give him a lot of confidence.”
Meanwhile, Renard said the Cosafa squad that entered camp today comprising wholly of home-based players will form the future of his 2011 CHAN qualifiers team.
“The game is one month away so we have time to prepare a team,” Renard said.
“It is important to start working on a local team so that we can prepare for CHAN now which is important for us.”
Over 15 players were part of the morning training session with another 10 expected in camp later today.
Most of the players in camp were from Midlands based clubs while Renard was await the remaining call-ups from the Copperbelt.
CAF AFRICAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
19/09/2009
Nkoloma, Lusaka
Zesco United 2 (Enock Sakala 72″, Nicholas Zulu 81″)- Al Hilal 0
Khartoum
El Merreikh 1(Retshard Lado 22″ pen)- Kano Pillars 1(Joseph Thompson 88″)
[standings league_id=14 template=extend logo=false]
GROUP B
20/09/2009
Rufaro, Harare
Monomotapa 2(Daniel Kamunhenga 27″,Tawanda Nyamandwe 71″)- Heartland 1(Emmanuel Omobiabi 66″)
Lubumbashi
TP Mazembe 1( Kanyimbo Tshizeu 35″) – Etoile du Sahel 0
[standings league_id=9 template=extend logo=false]
FAZ DIVISION 1
WEEK 24
20/09/2009
North
Nchanga Rangers 0Â Nkana 0
Mufulira Wanderers 1Â Prison Leopards 1
Chindwin 0 Muchindu 0
Chingola Leopards 1 Lime Hotspurs 2
Mining Rangers 0Â Ndola United 0
Kalewa 2 Indeni 0
Kitwe United 2 Mufulira Blackpool 1
Luanshya United 1Â Afrisport 1
Kalulushi Modern Stars-Zesco Luapula (Not played)
[standings league_id=2 template=extend logo=false]
South
Nampundwe 0-Lusaka Celtic 2
Nkwazi 3-Petauke United 1
Lusaka Tigers 2-Luena 1
Riflemen 0-Young Green Eagles 2
National Assembly 1-Livingstone Pirates 0
Kascol Rangers 1-Mazabuka United 2
Zamcoal Diggers 0-Police Bullets 0
Paramilitary 1 -Lusaka City Council 1
Green Eagles 1-Profund Warriors 0
[standings league_id=3 template=extend logo=false]
Atleast ZESCO have learnt how to sweep, mop and thereafter shine. Nowonder the win.
Congrats to Nchanga rangers. You are bringing us joy as former Chingola dwellers. I cant wait to see you back in the premier league
Let us goal Brave Rangerz! Now this iz a critical moment, ensure nothing iz left to chance by keeping our house in order (e.g team management and player motivation). TP Mazembe made sure they reapt maximum points at home and left away gamez to chance- see where they are…
Ba LT your data is ****ed up, Kalampa is leading with 45 points, Mighty 44, Brave 43.