Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Vice President Emmanuel Munaile has said the associaction were looking for a foreign coach who has a point to prove not for someone who has already done it before.

Munaile who was addressing the media earlier today accepted that French born coach Hevre Renard might not be what the soccer-mad nation where expecting to take over the Chipolopolo top job. Many fans were anticipating a high profile coach in the mode of Renard’s former boss Claude Leroy, another French born Patrice Neveu who is now coaching DR Congo and Dutchman Clemence Westerhoff who led Nigeria to the 1994 Afcon triumph over Zambia.

“We were looking for someone as an association, who has a point to prove and someone who understands African football,” he said.

“We thought it would not do us any good to go for the coaches who have been to the African Cup as head coaches,” he added, referring to what the starved die hard fans had hoped for.

On why they settled for the less fancied 40 year old coach, Munaile said,”The French coach was appealing to us and we settled for him because others (high profile), we could not have afforded them.”

“If you want the best coach, we need to find money because they don’t come cheap..we had to work within our parameters.” the Malole member of parliament defended their choice.

Munaile gave an example of former National team coach Roald Poulsen who guided the copperbullets to bronze medal at the 1996 Afcon in 1996. He said the Dannish was unknown but performed wonders during his reign.

And he is hoping Renard will follow Poulsen’s achievement.

“We are conviced that this man will come and add value to what we want,” Munaile said.

Renard is expected in the country next week and FAZ hasn’t yet given him targets but its clear the Frenchman is expected to guide the Chipolopolo to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa which many fans crave for.

Hichani and Mayuka bounce back

Lusaka Dynamos skipper and centre-back Hichani Himoonde and Kabwe Warriors striker Emmanuel Mayuka have been recalled to the CHAN national side for the return leg against Botswana after missing out on the first leg 1-0 loss in Botswana.

Hichani was dropped from the squad to allow for other players to feature as the squad tries to find a consistent and competent line-up. This move saw Whiteson Simwanza{pictured)take his place and the youthful Young Arrows defender was unfortunate to score an own goal on his debut. Simwanza and Hichani have both been exceptional at club level for their respective clubs. Arguably the best centre backs in the local league this season.

Mayuka was away in Portugal attending trials with one of that country’s top sides. The young striker is adept on his feet and his positioning and finishing ability have been the talk of many for the second season running. Sebastian Mwansa of Green Buffaloes has also been recalled to the squad after a long spell on the side-lines. The former under-20 skipper and World Youth Cup star has been a shadow of himself this season and will be looking to fire up the squad.

Alsoon the list is influential midfielder William 'The Magician' Njobvu. The Lusaka Dynamos starlet missed his team's goalles stalemate against Power Dynamos as he is struggling with a knee injury that forced him to be taken off against the Zebras last friday. The 21 year is rated 50/50 chance for weekend 's encouter against Young Arrows.

Head coach Peter Kaumba has come under pressure from fans for making eight changes to the local side. Against Botswana, Kaumba who is assisted by Green Buffaloes mentor George Lwandamina gave international debuties to Simwanza, Sanida Zulu, Lottie Phiri, Judge M’kandawire and dinumitive Nkana anchorman Moses Kapayi.


CHAN Squad training at Barclays Sports Complex before the match against Botswana last week.


But FAZ Vice President and Spokesperson Emmanuel Munaile defended the former Power Dynamos winger experimental side.

“We are optimistic that we will overcome Botswana in the return encouter and proceed to the next round,” said the former Mufurila Wanderers midfielder. 'The Magician' being attended by national team & Zesco United physio Marlon Mwiinga at Barclays sports complex last week

With most of the players that featured at the Ghana 2008 Afcon struggling for form, Munaile added, “We want to expose as many players as we can so that when we sit down to pick the team that will eventually go into camp in preparation for 2010 African and World Cup qualifiers every local player would have been looked at.

And this competition affords us that chance. That is why changes to the team that played Swaziland were made.”

Zambia have a difficult encounter ahead as they prepare to face the Zebras of Botswana who hold a slender advantage coming into this tie, knowing that a draw is enough to see them past the local Chipolopolo, but the Chipolopolo boys tutored by Peter Kaumba and George Lwandamina will have the local fans to impress and will be looking to repay the Zebras on home soil.

Full list of the players proposed to enter camp this Sunday;

Goalkeepers: Mike Poto (Green Buffaloes), Robson Mucheleng’anga (Power Dynamos), Joel Kambili (Chambishi).

Defenders: Clive Sichondwe (Kabwe Warriors), Sanida Zulu (Chambishi), Dennis Banda(Green Buffaloes), Bronson Chama(Kabwe Warriors), Whiteson Simwanza(Young Arrows), William Chinyama(Zesco United), Hichani Himoonde(Lusaka Dynamos)
Midfielders: William Njobvu(Lusaka Dynamos), Francis Kombe(Power Dynamos), Moses Kapayi(Roan United), Chisamba Lungu(Zanaco), Stophira Sunzu(Zanaco), Kennedy Mudenda(Power Dynamos), Sebastian Mwansa(Green Buffaloes), Lyainga Chiwanki(Young Arrows), Judge M’kandawire(Young Arrows),
Strikers:Enock Sakala(Zesco United), Roger Kola(Zanaco), Reuben Tembo(Green Buffaloes), Emmanuel Mayuka(Kabwe Warriors). Lottie Phiri(Young Arrows).