New Chipolopolo boss Frenchman arrived in the country earlier in the day and straight he went to have look at the Zambia national team local side which is preparing for Saturday’s encounter against Botswana in the CHAN qualifier.
Zambiafootball.com caught up with the former Ghana assistant coach at Woodlands Stadium where the local side were involved in a friendly match against Fighton Simukonda’s City of Lusaka.

The Chipolopolo beat ‘City Ya Moto’ 3-1 with goals from Sebastian Mwansa, Emmanuel Mayuka and Reuben Tembo.

Definately the new technical bench; Renard with Peter Kaumba while George Lwandamina and Team manager Kamwambi(in white) are behind.

On your impression about the match against City of Lusaka?
The boys played a good game and I think the second half very good while the first was average.And Some of the players (William Chinyama, Mike Poto, Mayuka and Hichani Himoonde) were at the Afcon like Mayuka.
I think we have some very young players and very skillful, it’s good for the national team.

Frenchman Herve Renard watching the local side at Woodlands Stadium. Time is against him....looking to the Togo match.The 39 years old was taking notes as he was watching the boys.

What is expected from you?

I want to build for the future and qualify for the next African Cup of Nations.To achieve that we have to work very hard. And for that we have to look for locally young and skillful players.
What promise do you have for the fans?

I’m not the kind of person who promises anything, I prefer to work hard then we will see after.

List of Foreign Based players called for Togo match

Goalkeepers: Kalililo Kakonje (Amazulu, South Africa), Kennedy Mweene (Free State Stars, South Africa)

Defenders: Kampamba Chintu (Free State Stars), Billy Mwanza, Joseph Musonda (Both Lamotville Golden Arrows, South Africa),

Kalaba was part of the afternoon squad that beat City of Lusaka 3-1.

Midfielders:Isaac Chansa (Helsingborg, Sweden), Felix Katongo (Stade Rennes, France)

Strikers: Christopher Katongo (Brondby, Denmark), Jacob Mulenga (Strasbourg, France), Collins Mbesuma (Bursaspor, Turkey), Dube Phiri (Desportivo Premeira Agosto, Angola)

Standby: James Chamanga (Dalian Haichang, China), Noah Chivuta ( BidVest Wits, South Africa), Given Singuluma (Bay United, South Africa)


No financial reward for 'Chama Boy' as PSL Top Scorer

Former PSL top scorer Jackie Ledwaba’s prediction yesterday that the 14 goals scored by former Moroka Swallows’ James Chamanga prior to his departure to China, will see him top the scoring charts at the end of the season, appears spot on.

Chamanga’s nearest challenger, Free State Stars striker Diyo Sibisi, who is on 12 goals, failed to score against Orlando Pirates yesterday and the Ea Lla Koto hitman’s chances of scoring four against Mamelodi Sundown, if he hopes to pick up the Absa prize of R50 000, looks extremely remote.

Chamanga has joined Chinese club Dalian Haichang, but unlike Jomo Cosmos’ Chris Katongo, who netted 15 goals in the first half of the season, that will mean there is no financial reward for Chamanga as the league sponsors Absa have revealed that there will be no prize money awarded for less than 15 goals.

Ledwaba, who won the top scorer award with 14 goals during the 2003-04 season, says he also doesn’t see Sibisi surpassing Chamanga’s total either.

“On Sunday Diyo is up against Mamelodi Sundowns. If I look at that game, there is no way that I can see him scoring three goals.

“Maybe if there were five games remaining then it would have been possible to overhaul Chamanga. Last season Chris Katongo scored 15 goals in only half a season and then left, but no one was able to overtake his total,” says Ledwaba.

However, Ledwaba, who was recently released by Mpumalanga Black Aces, says that the top scorer in the League should be given an award.

“You must realise that strikers find scoring difficult these days because teams prioritise defending.

“Hence, I think it is better to give the player with the highest goals a prize regardless of how many goals he scored.

He also suggests that the strike rate be taken into consideration and that if a striker’s rate is better than 50 percent, he deserves a prize.