National Team Update and Weekend Scorecard

1. Ala kale natampa ukulanda ati itimu talyakwata coach. mulantalika when I say you need an expatriate coach. Whether you like it or not the statistics show that expatriate coaches have been more succesful in Africa..In Zambia too. You just need to understudy them properly. Their skills shouldn’t go with them when they leave the country

2. Not always, we’ve had expatriate coaches before. Angola has a local coach and he took them to the world cup last year. What is lacking in Zambia is adequate preparations. You cannot play Kitwe United and call it prepartion for an important international game. Under the current situtation, even an expatriate coach would not do anything. The second problem is the way we ‘assemble’ player. Our ’star players’ tend to have a very negative attitude when it comes to reporting for national duties and we seem to condone the trend. I do not know how many Wake-up Calls we need before FAZ can become serious. Even Kalusha who has played at a very competitive level has been corrupted by incompetant FAZ Maladministration.

3. AS far as am concerned,Phiri is a good coach but he is corrupt.What usually happens with most of our local coaches is that ,they prefer playing local players whom they get from a certained percentage of a bonus.They dont wanna call lads playing outside the country coz they know that these guys cant accept such nonses and they are already settled with their careers. But with thiz local lads who are not settled,its easy to pay him coz if doesnt pay him next time he wont be selected.What do you think is the reason behind, sidelining Isaac Chansa.Phiri collected a batch of non experienced,Local players thinking it will be a walk over.He wouldnt have done that if we were playing South Africa.We have a long way to go unless we clean out Corruption in football.

4. Iam not a Nkana fan,but the way they have been treated is definately not fair.What am trying to say is that,in such situations players are not the culprits,its thoz hopeless Wusakile fans who come to watch the game drank.Now you can see how the penalty has affected Nkana’s peformance. This is not the real Nkana which rose some few months ago,they were unbeaten for a long period.But just after that incident they have lost grip.What FAZ should have done was to deduct three or so points and let them play behind closed doors for a certain number of games in order to punish those short tempered fans.Look at what happened in Italy recently,a police man was killed due rioting fans but they were not punished the way FAZ has done to Nkana.Zambian football wont go anywhere due to politics involved.

5. Patrick Phiri is a good coach but not with the Zambia National team, He proved himself in Benin during the 2004 finals when he failed to guide Zambia to the Finals.

   Kalu came in and Zambia went to the finals.You know what? we don’t appreciate hard working people like Kalu, All the national team needed around this time was Kalu. I am sorry to say that Zambia is not going to Ghana finals. remember South Africa needs only a point.

6. I don’t know where this South Africa only needs one point is coming from. South Africa has 11 points and a superior goal average. If Zambia ‘beats’ South Africa, we will have 11 points. So for us to top the group, we have to beat SA by at least 3 nil – possible? Maybe? The possible way Zambia can qualify is by way of ‘best runners up’ from the groups with 4 teams. Out of the three best runners up, Group 4 has already taken 1 with either Sudan or Tunisia as runners up. This leaves 2 places to be competed for by group 6 Eritrea; group 7 Tanzania; group 8 Algeria; group 9 Mali/Togo; and group 11 Zambia(beating SA by at least 1 Zero(highly possible with good preparations). You can see it is a tall order for Zambia. I am not sure how group 2 will be handled since Egypt(defending champions) seem likely to top the group.

7. Following on #6, South Africa has ‘already qualified. Dream on Zambia, Dream on.

8. …and if Uganda beats Lesotho today and if they also win there last game in Kampala against Niger the will accumulate 13points and qualify along with the super eagles,Nigeria, thereby leaving only one 2nd BEST RUNNERUP to be fought for. Zambias chances are very FAINT!

9. I think its all over for Zambia for now going by the analyses given above.
   Firstly, lets find a technical advisor to work along side Phiri. Phiri should be sent for refresher courses. Secondly, we need quality friendly matches. We need to play teams like Cote D’voire, Egypt, Nigeria etc, and not Kitwe United. If it means FAZ paying out money for a friendly, so be it. Zambia is one country which does not even make use of FIFA appointed friendly match dates. We can organise some European based players to play a team like Senegal in Europe. We do have enough players in Europe or a few local players can go and link up with Europe based players. This can be done provided there is seriousness on the part of Soccer Administrators. Countries like Ghana, Mali, Senegal, Angola etc are no richer than Zambia that they can organise matches in Europe.
   Lastly, we need a modern stadium. You know sometimes, players are motivated by the state of the stadium, such a better playing and things like that

10. Chad recently came in the country,donating fuel to reach us to Ghana,as they have done to other countries like South Africa and Congo.But unfunately,Phiri turned them away,thinking its one of those investers who are just looking for a way to get in and exploit our beloved country.Now you can see were it has landed us, we have no enough fuel to reach Ghana.This 8 litres we have,will only reach us in South Africa.And South Africa are in no position to give us back the 3 litres they borrowed some time back in Lusaka,for they too need just a litre to get them to Ghana.So we are stranded due to Phiri’s ignorance and stubborness.We all know what Isaac Chansa is capable of doing.He is a good ,natural midfieder who would have made a difference in that game.We so this coming, just after the anouncement of squad.We appreciate all he has done in the past,but if we dont see results we criticise.Soccer is the game of results and if you dont yield any be ready to be kicked out!

11. #8. Lesap
    IF

12. Born Rich #11, Z football is all about WHAT IF ANALYSIS.

13. I have safely arrived in South Africa for the F.C Barcelona match tomorrow. I will also have an opportunity to see Clifford Mulenga play for his club whose match against Dennis Lota’s club will be the curtain raiser for the main match. It will at least take my mind away from the shock I have suffered after that Chad draw.

    Zambian soccer needs a complete overhaul. To start with, we need people with business minds in the FA (FAZ). With these people in place, we will be able to attract the private sector into our soccer instead of perpetually depending on government.

    With the private sector involved, we shall have a strong local league with the capacity to directly export players to formidable sides in Europe thereby getting more money for clubs and consequently produce a strong national team that can stand the test of time not mickey mouse arrangements we have in place right now.

    It is a shame that our soccer has reached these levels of mediocrity.

14. #13. Kemps Mwape Mwelwa
    Football is big business out there.
    But pa Zed Kupapatila.
    Is it something to do with the economy or the problem is with the people we have entrusted football with?
    Please help me.

15. #14 Born Rich,

    It is the people because with the right people even a poor economy can improve. We need to move with time and bring in people like Hanif Adams, has at least demonstrate that an individuals busines can run a soccer club (Lusaka Dynmoes).

    The current FAZ people want to maintain the status quo by always running football the it used to be run in the early 60s.

    One thing, I know for sure is that there is enough money to run our football in zed but people in charge can not see it and because of this teams like Eritrea and Tanzania stand better chances of going to AFCON than us. Why?

    The other problem is that we lie to ourselves a lot. We think we have talent and that makes us world beaters. But for information, talent alone is good for nothing. Talent needs to harnessed and disciplined and to do these, we need money & organisation.

    Let us for once be serious with our local leagues and people will come back the stadia and start to support and watch local teams

16. #14 Born Rich,It is the people because with the right people even a poor economy can improve. We need to move with time and bring in people like Hanif Adams, who has at least demonstrate that an individuals busines can run a soccer club (Lusaka Dynmoes).
    The current FAZ people want to maintain the status quo by always running football the way it used to be run in the early 60s.
    One thing, I know for sure is that there is enough money to run our football in zed but people in charge can not see it and because of this, teams like Eritrea and Tanzania stand better chances of going to AFCON than us. Why?The other problem is that we lie to ourselves a lot. We think we have talent and that makes us world beaters. But for your information, talent alone is good for nothing. Talent needs to harnessed and disciplined and to do these, we need money & organisation. Let us for once be serious with our local leagues and people will come back to the stadia and start to support and watch local teams

17. Kemps enjoy yourself. I will be watching Katongo at the end of july when his club BIF take on Chelsea FC at Brøndby Stadium in Copemhagen. As for Zed we just have to wait and hope.

18. #17 Justice, you are right we have to wait and hope for the best for zed.

    Its nice that you will be watching Chelsea. We really get such opportunities here but with 2010 coming to SA, things might change.

    I should hasten to say that you comments on this site have conviced that you are a true soccer fan with a very rich knowledge base of the game. Keep it up.

19. Its all said and done. Lets wait and see indeed for Zambia.
    Meanwhile tomorrow is a big day for Pretoria and the rest of Mzansi. I will definitely be there watching Ronadinho and Eto’o. This will atleast divert the bad memories concerning Zed soccer.

20. #3 Desire,do not be so libelous.You are accusing PP of being corrupt when you cannot prove it.Be real my man.Provide tangible criticism.How do you expect a child to pass an exam when materials are provided three days before the exam?That’s exactly what PP has to deal with.Mediocre preparations will not help our team in any way.You need a broader outlook of this issue.PP has done the best he can.He also needs to take coaching courses to improve his technical know-how.As long as we do not afford him and other coaches this training,we will always live in dreamland.

21. I can’t blame Patrick Phiri for the failure to beat Chad last weekend instead I blame FAZ for not allowing the team have more friendly games before playing curial games. The Teddy Mulonga executive should all resign for the failures they have brought on Zambia. Its sad to see Ted Mulonga shifting the blame on the clubs but he is forgetting that he is President of FAZ. For any team to hit the better form its all about how much preparation they put in and the kind of players you have. Honestly how do you expect to win when you don’t have the midfielders? What is the selection of players based on? I really don’t get it because Zambia has a lot of players that are doing very well in various leagues and yet they fail to come up with a strong national team. The all last we were thing maybe Issac Chansa, Ian Bakala or even Misheck Lungu was going to be considered in the midfield but to the surprise of all of us none of them made the team. Can some please give me the FAZ e-mail address.

22. It’s a draw in Maseru, so Uganda has just joined the race for best runners up. They will also have 11 points if they beat Niger – at home, I mean Kampala. This is sickening, yaba!

23. Chitalu
    Email: [email protected]

24. I would like to conquer with soccer Fan # 2.From History Foreign Coaches have been more Succesfull in Africa let alone in Z.1974 and 1994 who led us to the Finals of ACN,Buselic and Portfield.I think P.P has done hes best but he needs a Technical Adviser to help him. Forget Angola thats one rare example.The truth is Gentlemen we need a Foreign coach or Tech. adviser for our Team. We of course don’t need guys like B. Ziese who came from no where. Honestly i find difficult to beleive we failed to beat Chad even 2-1.
    If i was P.P’s employers i would ask him what was his game plan and what was plan B when he saw we were 0-1 down at half time.Whiles in SA, before Chad came to Z Chad played a friedly with some West Africans in SA looking for Clubs to play for here and the lost 1-nil.
    We played very well against Congo.B then suddenly the perfomance was down about a week later Hey!
    Would have gone to support the boys for last game if it was in J.Burg but it wil be in C.Town

25. Justice thanks for the Faz email add my man.

26. Zambia National Team soccer coach Phiri, should not panic. If reports in the post (today) are true that Phiri plans to recall Sichone and Chansa, then that will ba a sign of panic and it is not good for him. Phiri should stay calm, if anything should keep his cards close to his chest. His plans for the SA game as well as communication with players should not be bread and butter for the media. There is no need to panic because I beleive that with proper preparations and selection of players we shall beat SA. If Phiri panics as early as now, then our chances are ZERO. There is something in me, you know that ka feeling that is telling me that we shall win this game in SA. The way I see football now it is like it is much easier playing away than at home cause of pressure. My advice to Phiri is work out a plan, make a list of players you would want to use, but keep all this in your mind until the time the players have to go into camp. Why panic??? Never

27. About the issue of a foreign Coach, if we have to employ one then his contract should run a minimum of 4 years anything below that should no be considered. It should not be on of these like Ziese, who have been in Africa almost the whole adult life with only one thing in mind, money, money and money. It should be a fresh mind. There are many coaches here in Europe who could do a good job for Zambia, however we have to be very very careful how we pick this coach.

28. Despite the disappointment we shall rally behind the current team to perform in SA. The inclusion of Chansa and Sichone is a welcome move but these two must arrive in time to allow for preparations so that they blend with the rest of the team.

29. Twila yumfwisha bwino bane. I watch Bafana and there is no way they are going to watch us win. They also know what is at stake. Lets accept it we are out of the race for Gahana. Lets just start planning for Angola 2010 Africa Cup and 2010 world cup in Mzansi.

30. Anonymous tell us yo name buddy.People have hope cos this is football.Though i don’t have predictions of whats going to happen in the Bafana game. I would rather not put my Head on the block but i know atleast 3 results are possible us winning,us losing or us drawing in Mzansi.Period.

31. Why are you forcing to tell you my name. People on this blog are using false names. Atleast am honest and not using force name. I am just trying to tell you. Tatulefwaya ukulailishanya nga balusa kuno. Bafana’s improved of late and if we can display mediocrity in september, people will even say the Chad game was even better. If there is a team Bafana would like to humiliate, its Zambia because of the rivalry (but not enemity) that exist between the two teams. Bafana are trying to make a name under the new coach and they are trying to protect Carlos Alberto Perreirra’s name. What I mean is it wont be easy easy for Chipolopolo. But all the best.

32. Im not forcing you to give us your name atleast im one of those who’s using my real name.Im not arguing with you whether we going to lose or win.I totally agree with you Bafana are an improved team especially after the coming in of Carlos.A.Perreira. But the are still beatable. Whether we have the capability to do that i don’t really know.Thanks for your opinion my Man.

33. Mwilashupana ni game fye. Whether Zambia goes to Ghana or not we are still behind the team but positive changes must take place to improve our display and results.

    But I watched Bafana Bafana against Congo and I can tell you that they escaped being massacred.

    I can assure that they have a lot of weaknesses and they are not yet up there and in our game against them, anything is possible.

34. I just wanted a point of reference come 8/09/07 that Jack was right we failed to beat Bafana.Thats why i wanted your name. Nothing funny or anything i beleive we all Zambians whether we differ or not we can never always agree.

35. Its alright Mr Sibuza-J.burg. You are a wise man.

36. what happened between Lota and FAZ?he is enjoying top form if what I saw is anything to go by..he was a scorer for his club in the game that was played over the weekend.
    excuse the language but,BUSHE BA FAZ BALINYA OKO BALEFUMA??LIKE SAFA AND MCcARTHY?? ENLIGHTEN ME MEN OF THE GAME COZ APPARENTLY WE WOMEN DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT SOCCER!!

37. Nations cup qualifiers (last games) have been pushed to mid october from early sept. CAF has decided to do this inorder for all the groups to complete their qualifiers at once following the Burundi/Egypt game 5 which was postponed to september. This, however, gives us ample time to prepare for RSA and if necessary change the coaching staff. GOOD LUCK ZAMBIA!

38. Bafana Bafana’s Top marksman Sibusiso Zuma wont be playing in the the AFC Qualifyer against Zambia cos his acumulated 3 yellow Cards. Zuma as we may know has scored 4 of the 9 goals Bafana have scored in the 4 games his played so far.I see Bafana pleading with Benny M.to come back cos the have struggled to score goals without Zuma in the Qualifyers.A good example is the first 2 games the played the only managed 1 goal when Zuma was injured.Hes literally carried the team so far.If Benny wont agree to play then i see Bafana struggling upfront in the game against us.

39. I see Benni not playing for Bafana, atleast not this year. This sounds good.

40. I agree with you Benny seems not ready to play for Bafana.

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