Crowd favourite Billy Mwanza keeping a close eye on Swaziland dangerman Dennis Masina.

He also praised Renard for making timely substitutions, which changed the tempo of the game, particularly the introduction of James Chamanga for Stoppira Sunzu in the second half.

Another former international midfielder Tenant Chilumba praised Renard for reading the game.
Chilumba said in Renard, Zambia had a bright future.

“The introduction of Chamanga changed the game and he created the penalty. Renard is a good coach,” said Chilumba, a member of the Zambian team, which lost 1-2 to Nigeria in the final of the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia.

Zambia Football Coaches Association general secretary, Simataa Simataa, said although the team never scored many goals against Swaziland what was important was victory.

“What is important is to get a win. This means we’re on course. Lets just prepare for the game against Togo,” Simataa said.

Erratic Zim referee 'gifts' Zambia win-Swazi Observer

THE famous phrase that “excuses are sometimes appropriate but they aren’t adequate substitute for wise actions” seems to hold true for erratic Zimbabwean referee Kenias Maranda.
The inefficient FIFA-accredited referee literally handed Zambia victory on the silver platter, thanks to his inconsistent decisions in the tense 2010 AFCON/World Cup second leg qualifier between Zambia and Sihlangu played at a packed Konkola Stadium in Chililabobwe on Saturday.

While the lame excuse could be that Maranda faced huge pressure from the home supporters to make biased decisions against the visitors, it was his overall handling of the game that even irked the Zambian supporters. After wrongfully giving Sihlangu defender Zakhele Manyatsi marching orders for a tackle from behind on Zambia’s striker Jacob Mulenga in what was clearly a harsh decision, the woefully inept middleman went on to cap his dubious refereeing by awarding Zambia a controversial penalty with seven minutes remaining on the clock.

Swaziland & Supersport United's winger Tony 'TT' Tsabedza trying to force his way as Rainford Kalaba tracks him down.

It proved to be the crushing blow to what was otherwise a disciplined and committed performance from Sihlangu.

New Hope for Swaziland-Times of Swaziland

Despite the crippling 0-1 loss to Zambia’s Chipolopolo on Saturday, there is ray of new hope for the nation’s pride, Sihlangu as FIFA has amended the rules to the 2010 AFCON/World Cup qualification.

Sihlangu, currently heading Group 11 on goal difference, now stands a better chance to qualify as one of the eight best second placed teams

"FIFA had to find the fairest way of defining the eight best second placed sides – who will join the 12 group winners in the third qualifying round. It had then been decided that when ranking the runners up, their results against their group’s fourth placed team will not be counted," Supersport Commentator Mark Gleeson told the Times of Swaziland

Once all the group lead finished, then the picture will be much clearer as the points earned by the teams might even see no need to have the teams tied playing a play-off ion neutral ground," Gleeson said.