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Konkola Stadium will host Zambia-Chad game as squad heads to Tanzania.

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Faz has confirmed that the Zambia-Chad 2008 Africa Cup, Group 11 qualifying tie will be played at Konkola stadium on June 16.

The announcement ends all speculation of the possibility that the qualifier will be shifted to an alternative venue following the death of 12 fans during a stampede at Konkola on June 2 at the end of Zambia’s 3-0 win over Congo-Brazzaville.

“The Zambia-Chad match will be played at Konkola,” Faz spokesman Joseph Nkole said today. “Other details related to the match will be announced at later date.”

12 fans died and another dozen injured while trying to exit Konkola at the end of Zambia’s game against Congo-Brazzaville.

A commission of inquiry charged to investigate the accident is due to release its findings in the coming days.

The incident at Konkola is the second in two years at the venue with the last one coming on March 26, 2005- again in another match involving Congo-Brazzaville that Zambia won 2-0.

In that match, fans hanging on to an aging floodlight pylon caused severe stress to the steel structure while celebrating Zambia’s second goal from Collins Mbesuma in the 44th forcing it to collapse on fans sitting below in the stands while also watching the match.

Over 10 fans were hurt but no fatalities were reported.

The remaining pylons were eventually removed and extensive work done at the stadium after that incident following recommendations by a Fifa stadium committee inspection team that visited Konkola a week after the game.

Konkola was later demarcated into 8 sections with two gates each; one stadium perimeter and the other pitch-side.

The pitch-side gate are to be used as an emergency access ways to the playing area in case of crowd trouble during matches.

Entry and exit gates at Konkola were expanded from 4 to 8.

Meanwhile, the Zambia national team this morning left Lusaka for Dar es Salaam to play an international friendly against Tanzania tomorrow.

Head coach Patrick Phiri will be carrying a full-strength squad but will be without two key players whom he featured against Congo-Brazzaville last weekend.

Missing are strikers Jacob Mulenga (Chateauroux, France) and Collins Mbesuma (Maritimo, Portugal) who have been excused to attend to family and business obligations respectively.

Phiri will also use Saturdays match to assess three players ahead of the game against Chad.

Lusaka Dynamos defender Hichani Himoonde has been brought in as cover for injured veteran captain Elijah Tana (Al Jezeera, UAE) who is out due to a calf injury he sustained in the game against Congo-Brazzaville.

“We know about Hichani’s abilities after he impressed us when we played at the CECAFA Cup in Ethiopia in December,” Phiri said about the Zambia Under-23 defender.

Zesco United left-back Willy Chinyama who made an impressive debut last Saturday in Konkola will also be assessed after slotting in for Zanaco defender Joseph Musonda who has been given time off to rest after an illness for the last fortnight.

Chinyama’s club mate at Zesco Enoch Sakala also returns to the team after he was dropped for the Congo-Brazzaville game despite a high-profile debut away to Namibia on May 26 in Windhoek where he scored a brace in Zambia’s 2-1 win there.

Also in the traveling party for the Tanzania friendly is attacking midfielder Christopher Katongo of Danish 1st division club Brondby and he is expected to captain the team.

Katongo meanwhile confirmed today that he will be available for the Chad game and will only return to Denmark for pre-season camp on June 24.

Zambia returns home on Sunday where land back in Lusaka at 15:20 hrs.

TEAM:

GOALKEEPERS: George Kolala (Zanaco), Kennedy Mweene (Free State Stars, South Africa).

DEFENDERS: Hichani Himoonde (Lusaka Dynamos), Billy Mwanza (Lamontville Golden Arrows, South Africa), Kennedy Nkthani (Both Zanaco), Mark Sinyangwe (Nkana FC), Willy Chinyama (Zesco United).

MIDFIELDERS: James Chamanga (SuperSport United, South Africa), Rainford Kalaba (Zesco United), Felix Katongo (Clube Desportivo 1º de Agosto, Angola ), Lameck Njovu (Zanaco).

FORWARDS: Songwe Chalwe (Moroka Swallows, South Africa), Christopher Katongo (Brondby, Denmark), Ignatius Lwipa (Zanaco), Dube Phiri (Red Arrows), Enoch Sakala, Jonah Sakuwaha (Both Zesco United).

32 COMMENTS

  1. What the hell is this. OK FAZ is full of sharks is it. No caring about human life, I hope Zabia lose **** FAZ and all its greedy officials, **** FAZ, have respect for human life u *****

  2. ZAMBIA mafi mwe mbwa mwe abantu bafwa and u do not take things serious ba kolwe Mulonga, Kalusha bonse muli ba KOLWE NE FIPATO MWE MBWA MWE

  3. The stadium is okey to host an international match…its just that the people responsible to man the gates did not do their job correctly. As for Anonymous, this is not the right forum to issue your unprintables….its childish on your part!!! If you have an issue with FAZ, better send it to them with your kind of retrogressive insults!!

  4. Well I think it’s unzambian to display the insensitivity FAZ is doing. Am sure Konkola Stadium is not the only one. Only people who have lost somebody would realise how unwise this move is. I know the stadium is okay but we have feelings and this is not just right. The match could be moved to Nchanga Stadium. I guess they better speed up the construction of a new stadium

  5. Ba Chanda Phiri, if someone dies in a plane crash, it doesnt mean people should stop flying!!! What we should instead look at is the safety of our only registered International stadium. In this case, Konkola stadium is safe to hold an international game but amid tight security to be co-ordinated by responsible people, thats it!!!

  6. Ba Lawre, am not saying they should ban playing at Konkola stadium. All am saying is it’s just too early to do that. Right now the memories of the tragic day are still fresh in the deceased family’s minds. Lets give father time to heal the pain the families are going through. I doubt you would want to go to the scene where your loved one died within two weeks and cheer in happiness of your soccer team, come on we are Zambians. How will this be different from the old local song MUKA NFWILWA? Have we privatized our respect for funerals and the dead also in the name of being progressive? So that can’t be it. Tell that to somebody affected

  7. Wounds are still fresh they will take time to heal. I am losing the spirit of sportsman.FAZ why not take the match where the U-23 played there much. Life is meaningless. Do you more to die of heart act or high blood pressure. Please FAZ reconsider this before the fans decide on your behave.

  8. This is un zambian, we are not white people we respect the dead very much. Mulonga what is wrong with you? Out of town allowance has confused you so much so that you have decided to ignore intambi.we mbushi we

  9. William, the discussion i not about languages. If you feel offended just ignore it.

    Back to the matter of the day. It is very clear that Zambia needs to build modern stadia to host these games. The security of soccer fans can no longer be guaranteed and this is why we need to move forwad and sort this problem out once and for all. We do not these deaths, Zambia does not need them.

    Yes, I agree with the people who are saying that it is unzambian to play the Chad game at Konkola two weeks after the accident.

    But if truth be faced. There is no other stadium with the capacty to host a full international game (Independence stadium is a death trap, Nchanga and Arthur Davies have wonderful pitches but small sitting capaties) this makes Konkola the automatic choice but this does not augur well wuth the bereaved families who are still in mourning.

    Therefore, the solution lies in the construction of modern stadia.

  10. William, the discussion is not about languages. If you feel offended just ignore it.

    Back to the matter of the day. It is very clear that Zambia needs to build modern stadia to host these games. The security of soccer fans can no longer be guaranteed and this is why we need to move forwad and sort this problem out once and for all. We do not these deaths, Zambia does not need them.

    Yes, I agree with the people who are saying that it is unzambian to play the Chad game at Konkola two weeks after the accident.

    But if truth be faced. There is no other stadium with the capacty to host a full international game (Independence stadium is a death trap, Nchanga and Arthur Davies have wonderful pitches but small sitting capaties) this makes Konkola the automatic choice but this does not augur well wuth the bereaved families who are still in mourning.

    Therefore, the solution lies in the construction of modern stadia.

  11. we got indipendent in 1964. up now now we have never buity a morden stediam. we will be just dieing long dogs when ever there is a match. am not happy with what happed at konkola stadiam and faz has diseded to to the somepleace when we are still morning our belove ones who died. kutumpa uko bafikala

  12. kemps the point is not to close konkola Stadium, but surely I do not feel that the game Vs Chad should be played at this same stadium, u know we zedians are people of feelings. And Chad are a very small team which even a Zambian club can clobber, sÃ¥ maybe Woodlands Stadium would have done. As for future games, if Mwanawasa and his MMD do not want to build a modern STADIUM IN ZED, I propose that the next game be played at state house. Soccer is our National number one Sport and no one should take away that from Zedians. We are good people, in other countries Mwana…….. would have been history by now. he is really a dog

  13. I am in a sad moody as write this I preached to the government for many years now about the need of the modern stadium. But things seem not to be moving. At one time was told I talk too much like a politician but now the realities are coming out. In 2004 I even looked for companies who would have started building at least one stadia. I told we have made priorities first fight hunger, build health resources, Education and sport. Its three years now nothing much has changed. I think we need to take this responsibilties in our hands at community level in order to save lives. If wait long next it will be you and me dying like just like that. I hope FAZ will play this game without fans maybe that is when they will learn gate takings alone at not enough but lives of people are more important. In a western world if such a thing happens the stadium will be closed until after investigations are finalised.

  14. When we lost the National Team in that Gabon Air Crash, everyone ‘sung in one voice’ – to continue in the World Cup qualifiers – as our honour to the fallen heroes. I think this is what FAZ is trying to do for the fallen Soccer Fans. The did not die in vain. To me, it will be a honour to return to Konkola at this time and mourn our Soccer Fans. We owe them that! Shying away from Konkola Stadium is not the answer. I urge all true Soccer Fans to gather at Konkola and pay our last respect to our colleagues. This will be the first big gathering of Soccer Fans and where else can they mourn each other better than at the scene of the tragedy! For a change, dedicate 5 minutes of silence and have the name of each dead soccer fan mentioned through the PA and a bell sounded or better a trumpet from the Brass Band.

  15. Ba Chanda Kunda, You have leadership qualities. I don’t know these insulting-Zambians claiming to be true Zambian. These are the same people who drink during funeral gathering. Once FAZ leave Konkola, the fallen fans will be forgotten. And lets not be our last respect. Lets go to Konkola and watch soccer and let our government, FAZ and well-wishers support the mourning families. People stop insulting imfumu, they will fearing us and stop protecting us. Accidents happen!!

  16. Ba Chanda Kaunda kwena mulindosi. And you have not feeling. Why on earth you mourned with joy. Even your Wibilima as your support are lost sheeps who have no routes and have not respect of the dead. I can see because of money you can do anything. Are going to be answerable if the same thing repeats itself or you will start pointing at FAZ even demanding their blood. Your leadership qualities are of no use. I want people who have ideas how we can end such tragdes. Why is Independence Stadium not hosting any more matches are they not the same risks that it poses that people can die. Only half reasonable person will support your ideas Chanda Kaunda. I wonder why FIFA has not taken any action. Kalusha Bwalya belongs to the satety committee at FIFA he cant even spearheard to look for an alternative stadia. There are so many solutions even prosponding the game could have made sense. I see you guys you dont value life until the day when death meet you yourself

  17. I think that some of the language used by some people above is not right. FAZ are not to blame for what happened at Konkola. The are to blame. And I donot think there is any thing wrong with Konkola. Lives were lost, but when you look at the alternatives, they are worse. People have died on bus, on all our major roads, we have not stopped travelling. It was an accident and Iam we have all learnt from it. Please no insults. The government must speed the building of a new stadium. That is the answer, not insults. Police do your job this time. Konkola Again!

  18. (21)zambia-1 -1 tanzania .Roan did not play they were involved in aroad accident.the bus bashed kids who were playing along the road.No one in the bus was injured.

  19. Thanks for the results. Yobe your approach of this issue is unrealistic,inhuman composed of feelings. Who should be to blame if not FAZ? The referee came late, all this was a bad omen then you pump the stadium more that its capacity. Why do you want to blame the police always and the government. FAZ is even older than the Zambia they have not spearhearded scouting of funds to constract a new stadium. All they know they look at govt. Look at the money the government has given them last month for three teams. What do they use the money the get from intaking? Everytime waiting to recieve. I wonder all those who are say we should go on with Nkonkola if they could have saying the same if the had lost one of their immediate family members. Another countries they even move the games to other nations if they can not meet the requirements of a modern stadia.

  20. Thanks for the results. Yobe your approach of this issue is unrealistic,inhuman composed of no feelings. Who should be to blame if not FAZ? The referee came late, all this was a bad omen then you pump the stadium more that its capacity. Why do you want to blame the police always and the government. FAZ is even older than the Zambia they have not spearhearded scouting of funds to constract a new stadium. All they know is look to govt. Look at the money the government has given them last month for three teams. What do they use the money the get from intaking? Everytime waiting to recieve. I wonder all those who are say we should go on with Nkonkola if they could have saying the same if the had lost one of their immediate family members. Another countries they even move the games to other nations if they can not meet the requirements of a modern stadia.

  21. Sunday News; Sunday,June 10, 2007 @00:02

    TAIFA Stars and Zambia’s Chipolopolo yesterday battled to a one-all draw in an international friendly match at the Jamhuri Stadium here.

    After near misses in the first half, the hosts went ahead in the 51st minute following their nice build up play concluded by Danny Mrwanda whose close range header caught goalie George Kolala on the wrong foot.

    Playing one man less after Kennedy Nketani was given his marching orders, the Chipolopolos were the more creative side in the second half and pinned their opponents to their own territory for most part of the half.

    The visitors’ efforts paid dividends nine minutes before the final whistle when Reinford Kalaba scored after capitalizing on a defensive lapse by Taifa Stars defenders and goalie Ivo Mapunda.

    ‘The match was balanced but the story would have been otherwise had our player not been sent off so early in the game,” observed Zambia coach Patrick Phiri.

  22. Good for the boys just an advice for the technical bench plz try to make arrangement to make many other five substitutes inoder to give everyone a chance in to play and be accessed.

  23. At least somebody is making efforts to organise friendly matches instead of owez playing local select sides which i think is not the best way of preparing for important international matches.
    Good luck in the next match boys
    And thumbs up to coach Patrick Phiri
    He surely knows what he is doing

  24. Anyway do we have a choice, let the game be played at Konkola, but let us pray and hope that all ends in peace and not ike last time. Boys give our departed fans, friends and families a proper funeral, burry CHAD

  25. I have been following the debate on whether to use Konkola or not.This is a value argument as everyone is attaching different values as to why this venue should not be used.I personally think that we should look at the families of the departed and ask ourselves how we would feel if we were in their shoes?!Tuleketako ichikuku noluse nga abena Zambia…
    If the FAZ brass don’t know what pain is,then I don’t think they should be in such decision making positions…
    PLEASE,PLEASE, find another venue and show some humanity.In South Africa,they would say,show UBUNTU!!What is the use of Ba Kalu being on the safety committe and sitting with his arms folded after this tragedy?lets call a spade a spade and not a big spoon!!Nga ni kumbi ubusanso bwachitike,ba Kalu ngebali number 1 nama “sanctions!!”

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