The shadow of the October 10 game against Egypt is looming large over the Zambia national team as Herve Renard tries very hard to keep the media focused on his teams Cosafa Cup build-up.

News of Collins Mbesuma’s return including that of one Isaac Chansa to the fold ahead of the home game against Egypt have dominated the news in the last three days of training camp for the teams Cosafa Cup outing.

Renard has emphasized this period was for Cosafa Cup preparations but the Egypt game is looking more newsworthy than the build-up to the October 25 quarterfinal match against Namibia away at Rufaro Stadium in Harare.

And when asked about the programme for the Egypt game, Renard finally said it will be a regular low profile affair with no friendly planned before hosting the African champions at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe.

“It is not possible (To have a friendly) because we don’t have enough time for one,” Renard said.

“We can only make a training game while in camp.”

Meanwhile, Mbesuma is expected to steal the show with his return.

Mbesuma has said he is delighted to be back in the team adding that he is aware that does not guarantee a place in the final 18 but is looking forward to the challenge of fighting to make the cut.

However, Mbesuma’s comments are shocking especially after being written off by his once worshipping fans who vilified him and wrote him off for the penalty miss before his subsequent revolving door substitution in that 1-0 win over Rwanda on June 6 at Konkola.

Mbesuma must first make sure he must match the talk with real hunger for a return to playing for Zambia as another episode in his long-running love-hate relationship with his fans is yet again about to unwind.

9 COMMENTS

Tribalist September 23, 2009 At 11:21 pm

If you wamt to die of BP support Zambian football. Free advice.
Sobongo Kibinda Wa Ba Kabwa September 24, 2009 At 8:50 am

Zambia ah, no. Realists know they shall not win and are out, painful as it shall be!
Keyser Soze September 24, 2009 At 9:18 am

Nothing works out with Rupiah. Not even soccer
Kasama Boy September 24, 2009 At 9:57 am

The type of motivation is what will kill us at Konk. Egypt are aiming for the sky (The World Cup) Zambia is aiming for the Branches (the Africa Cup) so who will hit the top of the tree. I am afraid we may have to focus on the game in Rwanda to qualify even for the Africa cup or we are in tatters.
The Only Living JAY September 24, 2009 At 10:09 am

Give Rwada a chance to go to the Afrika Cup, it will mean a lot more to them than Zambia. Maybe we should concentrate on gaining some respect in the COSAFA and CECAFA region.
Zambia in the sun September 24, 2009 At 10:23 am

I can coach the Zambia national team to winning. They only need motivating. Its just a psychologist those boys need.
Sparks Chimbwendembwende September 24, 2009 At 5:13 pm

Zambia 2 — Egypt 1
Chama September 24, 2009 At 7:37 pm

It is possible for Zambia to develop a strong team like Egypt, Ghana, Cameroon. Am asking for your opinion guys…
Kasama Boy September 24, 2009 At 8:02 pm

There is nothing impossible. In 1980 we beat Egypt 4-0, To qualify to Seoul in 1988 we beat Ghana, 2-0, and I remember we also gave them another 4-2 bashing around 1987, even at CAN South Africa, we beat them with 10 men through a Joel Bwalaya thunderbolt. In 1987 we beat Cameroon 4-1 in Zambia and drew 1-1 in Yaonde. If we did it that time then, why cant we did it now and in future? We just need time and patience talent epo yaba. So we shall rise again.