Zambian Coach drops quiting bombshell

WITH 48 hours before Zambia faces Ghana in a crunch 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier, coach Herve Renard has dropped a bombshell that he will quit the Chipolopolo job if he is not paid his six-month salary arrears this monthend.

This comes at a time when the African champions, who dropped to sixth in Africa and 43rd in the world in the latest FIFA monthly rankings, are trying to redeem themselves in the World Cup qualifying campaign after last weekend’s 0-2 loss in Sudan.

Renard told Ark Sports that he was getting frustrated with his predicament as trainer for the continental champions.

He said there was an incredible lack of respect and consideration for him and that if nothing was settled before the end of this month then he would leave the Zambian job.

Renard said after winning the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), he decided to stay in Zambia despite other big offers because he wanted to qualify the Chipolopolo to the World Cup finals.

“I have not been paid for six months. After the Africa Cup, I took the decision to remain with the group, despite other big offers. I planned to go to the World Cup.

“ That’s life, I’ve learnt my lesson. There is an incredible lack of respect and consideration. Enough is enough. If nothing is settled before the end of June, I am leaving,” the Frenchman said.

When contacted yesterday at the squad’s training camp in Ndola, Renard said: “So you know! It’s already in the media. But now I want to concentrate on the Ghana match.”

But FAZ president, Kalusha Bwalya said he was not aware of Renard’s quitting threat but that he would talk to him when he travels to Ndola today.

Renard got back the Chipolopolo job last year in November from Italian Dario Bonetti, over a year after leaving Zambia in April 2010 to take a more lucrative two-year deal in Angola.

The Frenchman, however, stayed in Angola for just over five months before securing club coaching job at USM Alger in Algeria.

And on this weekend’s Ghana assignment in Ndola, Renard said it was the Chipolopolo’s dream to open the new Levy Mwanawasa Stadium with a win.

He said Zambia needed to play a good game against the Black Stars whom he described as still the best team in Africa.

Renard said the Chipolopolo were the best team at the 2012 AFCON, where they knocked Ghana in the semi-finals and that they wanted to beat the Black Stars again on Saturday.

“We’ve a chance to play for the first time in this new fantastic stadium. We’ve to play a great game and win,” he said.

The Frenchman also promised to ring changes to the squad that lost to Sudan and gave a strong hint that he could use left back Emmanuel Mbola in the Ghana match.

Renard said Mbola, who missed the AFCON due to a FIFA suspension, was ready again to feature for Zambia and that he needed him back in the fold.

He also said he was satisfied with the overall input from the players in camp and was happy to see playmaker, Rainford Kalaba shaking off a knock he picked up in Sudan.

During yesterday’s two practice matches against MTN Premier Division League leaders, Zesco United, the Chipolopolo triumphed with identical 2-0 scorelines.

In the first match where Renard used mostly his starting squad, the Chipolopolo, cheered on by an ecstatic crowd, beat Zesco 2-0 with goals from Kennedy Mweene and and Emmanuel Mayuka.

Mweene, the first choice goalkeeper, scored from the penalty spot after striker Emmanuel Mayuka was tripped in the box.

The Chipolopolo displayed some flashy moves, much to the excitement of the crowd that turned up at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.

Mayuka later delivered the second when he finished with aplomb a pass from Hichani Himoonde.

In the second match, Jonas Sakuwaha and James Chamanga scored for the Chipolopolo and Renard thanked Zesco coach, Wedson Nyirenda who according his charges some good competition.

Skipper Christopher Katongo said having learnt from mistakes done in Sudan, the Chipolopolo would do everything possible not to disappoint the fans.

And FAZ has expressed happiness with the overwhelming response from members of the public buying tickets for this weekend’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Ghana.

FAZ spokesperson Erick Mwanza said at a media briefing at Football House in Lusaka yesterday that while the association was happy with the response it was getting from the public purchasing tickets, it had no control over tickets that were being sold exorbitantly on the black market.

Mwanza said fans should ensure that they got themselves tickets from recognised selling points before the game as no tickets would be sold at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium and that anyone without a ticket would not be allowed anywhere near the facility.

He said FAZ had put up several security measures which fans must adhere to as security will be tight especially for those without tickets or anyone wanting to smuggle alcohol saying fans should act at the first line of defence.

Mwanza also dispelled fears by a named Nigerian pastor that tragedy would hit the stadium saying fans should freely throng the stadium and cheer their team as the same named man of God had predicted the same during the test match but nothing happened.