Eagles can’t stop Chipolopolo - Renard

NATIONAL team coach Herve Renard says it will be difficult for Nigeria’s Super Eagles and any team to beat Zambia at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals in South Africa.

And Renard says Saturday’s match against Tanzania is an opportunity for local players to show they can deliver.

He insisted that the team has enough time to prepare for the continental championship kicking off on January 19.

Renard said in an interview in Lusaka Monday that the team will swing into full preparations on December 26 in South Africa.

“We have a lot of time to prepare but like I have said before what is important is for the team to be ready on the D-day. We have about a month before we play our first game of the tournament against Ethiopia,” he said.

Zambia face Ethiopia on January 21 in a Group C match before taking on Nigeria and Burkina Faso on January 25 and January 29 respectively.

Renard said the results from friendly matches are not important because his aim is to ensure the team is ready for the Africa Cup of Nations finals.

The 2012 Africa Cup winning coach said it is good that almost all the players are in and will train together for a month.

He said the team will not be under pressure in South Africa because they will be ready for the challenge.

Renard said the team’s aim is to go to South Africa and defend the Africa Cup trophy.

“The year 2012 was a fantastic year for Zambian football. The football spirit is very high at the moment in the country. Just look at the Zone Six final between Zambia and South Africa. The stadium was full and some people were outside. This is very good but I think even 2013 will be the same,” he said.

And the coach said young players will have a platform to show their potential when Zambia plays Tanzania on Saturday.

The charismatic coach said he intends to use senior players only for 45 minutes.



source: THE NATION

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Katongo Named BBC’s African Footballer Award

Christopher Katongo has won the 2012 BBC African Footballer of the Year award.
The 30-year-old Zambia captain beat off competition from Demba Ba, Didier Drogba, Younes Belhanda and Yaya Toure to become the first winner from southern Africa in the history of the award.
Katongo told BBC Sport: “This is a fantastic moment for me. I thank the people who voted for me. It is something I will never forget in my career.

“This means a lot for the young people and the young players who look up to me. I could not have achieved this without the support of my team-mates.”

The shortlist for the award was drawn up by football experts from every country in Africa, who based their choices on players’ skill, technical ability, teamwork, consistency and fair play.
And a record number of people nominated their favourite online or by text message with just over 40% of the votes going to

Katongo, who plays his club football in China for Henan Construction.
While all the players on the shortlist have enjoyed a superb year, with four of the players picking up silverware, it is Katongo whose performances and achievements have been considered by African football fans to be the greatest.

“I think the things that they (the fans) like about me is my discipline and that I am the kind of player who can fail one day but pull up his socks and keep going. I think that is why they voted for me,” added Katongo.
“To be among the top players who have won this award, I will go to sleep with a smile on my face.
“I did my best and the people have spoken. That’s the beauty of this award.”

Katongo, who is also a soldier in his home country, was inspirational as he led Zambia to their first Africa Cup of Nations title in February.

He scored three goals en route to the final of the tournament in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon and then struck a successful penalty in an 8-7 shoot-out victory over favourites Ivory Coast to lift the trophy in Libreville.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
2011 – Andre ‘Dede’ Ayew (Marseille & Ghana)
2010 – Asamoah Gyan (Sunderland & Ghana)
2009 – Didier Drogba (Chelsea & Ivory Coast)
2008 – Mohamed Aboutrika (Al Ahly & Egypt)
2007 – Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal & Togo)
2006 – Michael Essien (Chelsea & Ghana)
2005 – Mohamed Barakat (Al Ahly & Egypt)
2004 – Jay Jay Okocha (Bolton & Nigeria)
2003 – Jay Jay Okocha (Bolton & Nigeria)
2002 – El Hadji Diouf (Liverpool & Senegal)
2001 – Sammy Kuffour (Bayern Munich & Ghana)
2000 – Patrick Mboma (Parma & Cameroon)




source:theheraldng

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