Herve Renard and his men
According to the CAF seeding criteria for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations set for South Africa, Zambia will expectedly be among the 15 teams in pot one.

The memo dated April 11 addressed to all participating teams indicate that there will be a final round of qualifiers over two legs involving 30 teams to determine the 15 sides that will make the trip to South Africa.

Interestingly, Zambia will avoid what would have been explosive meetings against the big guns that did not qualify for the 2012 edition which include six time champions Egypt, Cameroon and Nigeria.

Egypt (No. 4 on 21 points), Cameroon (No. 7 on nine) and Nigeria (No. 9 on nine points) make up the top 15 seed but must first qualify from the second round knockout stage to participate in the final phase.

The trio – having missed out on the 2012 party – is not on bye like those that were present in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon and will have to qualify to occupy their seeding place for the final round of qualifiers.

“The thirty (30) teams will be divided into two pots (pot 1 and pot 2) and each pot comprises of 15 teams. A team from pot 1 will play against a team from pot 2 following a drawing of which will determine the fifteen (15) match schedule to be played in September and October 2012. The drawing of lots will take place in the first week of July 2012,” a letter from CAF reads.

Ghana’s Black Stars are second in the seed on 22 points while 2012 runners up Ivory Coast are in third place on 22 points with CAF having considered the two team’s head-to-head record over the three competitions.

[Source: Bolalathu]

Kitwe soccer giants Power Dynamos football club says it will be reluctant to consider rescinding its decision of firing coach head Fodson Kabole.

After an embarrassing exit from the CAF champions league via a 7-1 goal aggregate at the hands of TP Mazembe of Congo, Power Dynamos had no choice but to fire Kabole.

However, Kabole’s firing has attracted sharp reaction from Sports minister Chishimba Kambwili who has appealed to the club to rescind the decision.

Kambwili feels Kabole has been unfairly treated and asked management at Power Dynamos to rescind their decision.

He says as Sports Minister he will not tolerate the sacking of coaches in an undignified manner by any clubs.

The minister told ZNBC Sports in a telephone interview that Kabole is a renowned coach who deserves respect.

But Power Chairman Owen Silavwe says management always takes in certain considerations before arriving at any decision.

Meanwhile, the African football ruling body -CAF has published the qualification system to the third and final round of the 29th Orange Africa Cup of Nations with a major adjustment meant to leap the constraints of time ahead of the showpiece set for January 2013 in South Africa.

Twenty eight teams are currently participating in the second round of the qualifiers, with the first leg games already played last February 29 and the return leg set for mid June.

Fourteen teams will qualify from the second round and will join the 16 teams that took part in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, making a total of 30 teams to vie in the third and final round through the direct knock out system in home and away matches to determine the last 15.

Hosts South Africa will complete the list of the 15 qualified teams to the original 16 for the finals.

In the third and final round of the qualifiers, the 30 teams will be divided into two pots and each pot will comprise 15 teams.

A team from pot 1 will play against a team from pot 2 following a drawing of lots which will determine the 15 matches scheduled to be played in September and October 2012.

The drawing of lots will take place in the first week of July 2012.

CAF ranking of the national teams will be used to determine the teams that will go to pot 1 and those to pot 2.

The classification will be based on the performance of the teams in the past three editions of the Africa Cup of Nations.

znbc

Kalusha’s campaign bus. Pix courtesy of Qfm Radio
Kalusha has also made history by becoming the first FAZ president to run for two terms.

The ECZ are yet to announce exactly how many votes Kalusha polled.  Kalusha polled 178 votes against Munaile’s 72 votes.

Vice President Boniface Mwamelo has also defended his position by a landslide. Kelvin Mutafi also defended his treasury position. Committee members who won include Pivoty Simwanza, Richard Kazala, Leny Nkhuwa, Jeffy Chipilungu, Lee Kawanu and Happy Nkuwa.

Mwamelo has since thanked all councillors who voted for him on his Facebook page.

Kalusha who before getting elected as FAZ president in 2008 was also Vice President of the organisation now has another new four year mandate. Munaile, a former Chipolopolo player and parliamentarian also got the position of FAZ vice president in 2008 before he resigned in 2009.

Voting started at around 15:30 hours shortly after the FAZ executive was dissolved. Conducted by the Electoral Commision of Zambia (ECZ) and the FAZ election committee, the voting process was however marred with confusion over voting rights. This was because when the FAZ constitution was amended in May 2007 to conform with FIFA statutes, executive committee members lost their right to vote. As such,none of the executive committee members including Kalusha, who was vice-president, voted for themselves at the 2008 elections. However, this afternoon at Moba, the rules suddenly changed and some members of the executive voted.

And towards the end of the voting process, the poll was nearlydisrupted and briefly halted after Kalusha and  George Kasengele allegedly attempted to squeeze provisional members who were not eligible to vote were almost emasse being allowed to vote.

According to the rules, provisional members must be confirmed by the council to attain full voting rights but Kalusha and his team attempted to capitalise on the numbers.

During the near fracas, vice presidential candidate Henschel Chitembeya and Munaile stormed the voting booth  to stop an ineligible affiliate, Mongu Rangers, from voting. Mongu Rangers were about to vote as provisional members under auspices of Kalusha’s machinery to allegedly rig the elections.

But even after ECZ representative declared the voting had closed and that it had barred provisional members from voting as per constitutional requirement, Munaile’s camp raised issues with some delegates that were squeezed in to vote.

41 candidates were chasing six places as committee members while three were eyeing to unseat Boniface Mwamelo as vice-president with two others targeted the position of treasurer which was  held by Kelvin Mutafu. See the full list below:

President:

Kalusha Bwalya and Emmanuel Munaile

Vice President:

Mofya Chisala, Henschel Chitembeya, Andrew Mtine and Boniface Mwamelo

Treasurer:

Zakeyo Mbao, Kelvin Mutafu and Rix Mweemba.

Committee members: [Six positions available]

Andrew Banda, Zebron Banda, Lombe Bwalya, Violet Bwalya, Eutrasia Chambeshi,Welly Chikuka, Marcha Chilemena, Elijah Chileshe, Jeffrey Chipilingu, Michael Chirwa, Hayden Dingwall, Francis Hafwiti, Perry Hambwilika, Kabaso Kapambwe, Brian Kalunga, Arthur Kamulosa, Gabriel Kaunda, Lee Kawanu, Richard Kazala, James Lesa, Desmond M’gawa.

The rest are Alex Mambwe, Nelly Mambwe, James Mazumba, Lombe Mbalashi, Hellen Mubita, Kenneth Muteto, Happie Mukondya, Alfred Mungalu, James Mpooma, Victor Mpundu, Alfred Mwape, Keith Mwewa, Richie Nawa, Lenny Nkhuwa, Timothy Phiri, Dorothy Sampa, Amos Simfukwe, Pivoty Simwanza, Tom Siwale and Joseph Zimba.

daily mail

The two sides face off in the CAF Champions League first round, first leg clash many see as an all-family affair with the four time TP Mazembe having seven Zambian players on their books.

Singuluma told the club website that he had also put the disappointment of missing out on the Africa Cup behind him after he was dropped by Herve Renard.

“It will be difficult but not impossible to beat this team. At our level, we are preparing seriously recognising the value of the opponent,” Singuluma said.

“Do not think we are in Kitwe to have fun, we are employees of Mazembe and are obliged to win. I know the quality of my country clubs, with players very technical…”

Singuluma maintained that he and other Zambians in the Congolese club are paid by TP Mazembe owner Moses Katumbi to please the Congolese and not Zambians.

Speaking about missing on the AFCON Singuluma said: “It is true that this was a blow to me but it does not justify the loss of Power…”

The Mazembe Zambian contingent comprises Singuluma, Rainford Kalaba, Stophilla Sunzu, Hichani Himoonde, Francis Kasonde, Luka Lungu and Nathan Sinkala.

[Source: The Independent Post]

Kalusha (left), who did not attend the meeting, delegated his campaign chairman Boniface Mwamelo – his running mate as vice-president – much to the disgust of officials in Western Province.

The incumbent FAZ president is shying away from provincial campaign meeting after realizing his growing unpopularity among councillors.

Kalusha stayed away from Solwezi where majority of the clubs have resolved to support his challenger Emmanuel Munaile.

The 1988 African Football of the Year conspicuously stayed away from the Mongu meeting after club officials in Luapuala riled him with questions on transparency and accountability at Football House.

Sources disclosed that Kalusha’s team was scheduled to have a meeting in Mongu Tuesday but when Mwamelo was informed it was a full house, he and his traveling party allegedly “grew cold feet” and rescheduled the gathering to Wednesday claiming the crew had had a break down.

The officials, according to informers in Mongu, were as determined and still turned up in good numbers for Wednesday’s meeting.

“It was embarrassing; the meeting lasted 10 minutes and all the club representatives in Mongu walked out,” the source said.

Mwamelo and his team were asked where Kalusha was but his response did not impress the attendants.

“We told him we had a lot of questions for Kalusha and he is nowhere here, we told them we are not children and that’s how we walked out. We can’t continue with football administration playing hide and seek,” a club official, who chose to remain anonymous for fear of attracting a ban, said.

“This shows there is a problem. How do they travel without a president asking for votes? Our hope is that all FAZ members are observing what is happening and we will be united when we go to Moba Hotel.”

Kalusha’s campaign team has been trying to ride on the Africa Cup of Nations trophy tour but officials in most parts of the country are asking about benefits accruing to the football clubs that produce national team players.

The club officials are also demanding to know contents of the SuperSport, Nike and MTN deals so that they understand how the Kalusha administration has administered the game.

[Source: Bolayathu]

The Zambia international came under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons earlier this year after he was booted out of Chipolopolo’s Africa Cup of Nations squad for misconduct.

The midfielder’s ejection from the side meant he missed out on Zambia’s historic 2012 AFCON title winning campaign, and his troubles look set to mount as he faces the wrath of his own club following his sending off in the 2-0 win over Santos on Sunday.

“As a club we are very disappointed about Mulenga’s unsporting behaviour and we will take action against him. We believe it was unnecessary for him to get that red card; it should have been avoided. The match was almost over as there was only a minute left on referee’s added on time,” said club CEO Khumbulani Konco.

“Mulenga will appear before the club’s DC charged with unsporting behaviour. We want to hear his side of the story.”

The red card will see the playmaker miss out on Phunya Sele Sele’s upcoming PSL tie against title chasers Kaizer Chiefs at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday evening.

[Source: Football 365]

Sports Permanent Secretary Agness Musunga says the AFCON Trophy is genuine and original.

Musunga says people should not be misled to think the Trophy is a fake one.

She says it is unfortunate that people have been fed with false information about the trophy which is currently on a tour of the North Western Province.

Musunga has urged all soccer loving people to take advantage of the tour to view the trophy.

She was speaking in Solwezi on Tuesday morning during the viewing of the AFCON Trophy.

And North Western Province Minister Josephine Limata has thanked President Michael Sata for according the people in the province chance to see the trophy.

Limata says President Sata has demonstrated that he is a leader for all Zambians.

And scores of Solwezi residents lined the streets as they jostled to have a view of the AFCON Trophy.

The residents are trooping to Solwezi technical college where viewing is taking place.

And Larsen who is Bloemfontein Celtic coach has come to the defence of playmaker Mulenga (pictured left).

Mulenga was sent home early from the recent Africa Cup of Nations for bad behaviour, with the Chipolopolo boys later winning the tournament co-staged in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.  Early this week, coach Herve ‘The Chosen one’ Renard announced that as long as he remained trainer for the Chipolopolo boys, Mulenga would never wear the Zambia Jersey. Soccer fans have received this announcement with mixed feelings.

Larsen, however, has no complaints with the 24-year-old, insisting Mulenga has conducted himself as a “model professional” for Celtic this season.

“Clifford has been fantastic for us this season,” Larsen told the PSL’s website.

“He has been a model professional and a man to lead the side when we needed him most. He’s been working hard at training and now the rewards are there for everyone to see.

“I’m really happy with his performance and I hope he can continue to do the job for us. He is really very excellent during trainings and those who got rid of him might regret.”

Celtic were held to a 2-2 draw at Black Leopards on Wednesday night. Joshua Obaje netted a stoppage time equaliser at Peter Mokaba Stadium – much to Larsen’s dismay although he gave credit to the league’s bottom club for scrapping until the final whistle.

“My players did their best and I feel they did everything they could and should be commended for a job well done away from home.”

Celtic next host Platinum Stars on Sunday, with struggling Dikwena hurting after a 4-3 loss to Orlando Pirates in midweek. Larsen expects a test but backs his mid-table side to get a result at Botshabelo Stadium.

“We expect a tough match that’s for sure, and I’m sure we’ll get the job done.”

[Source:The Independent Post/Football 365]

Unlike some of the other Ivoirian stars, Drogba has confirmed his desire to continue playing for the Elephants.

A few weeks after the disappointment of yet another Africa Cup of Nations final loss, this time against Zambia, motivation amongst some of Côte d’Ivoire’s historical greats seems to be ebbing away.

While Didier “Maestro” Zokora seems, according to a close source, to have decided to put an end to his international career, Yaya Touré is questioning his future in the selection.

At only 28 years of age, the African Player of the Year 2011 is not sure if he wants to continue wearing the Elephants’ striking jersey.

“The disappointment is very strong at the moment, so I want to wait before deciding,” revealed the metronome of Manchester City.

Sorely missed by his club during the Afcon, the youngest of the Touré brothers will now have to reconsider his priorities.

“I must think about what’s best for me, for my club and for my country,” he admitted.

A number of the other players like Kader Keita and Seydou Doumbia might also be questioning their commitment, but the soul of the team, Didier Drogba remains true to his national colours, according to MTNFootball.

“I will be there in 2013.  We can win the Afcon 2013.  We have a team capable of great things,” declared the captain of the Elephants.

And an Ivorian publication, Le Nouvier quotes Drogba as saying that he wants to participate at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals to be held in South Africa so that he can meet with Zambia again.

“We’ve some unfinished business with Zambia. I want to go there (South Africa) just to meet them (Zambia) again,” he said.
Last week, Drogba was quoted in the Ivorian media as saying he had not yet gotten over the 8-7 defeat by Zambia during the February 12 Afcon finals.

[Source: The Independent Post]