We will miss Rainford Kalaba says Zambia coach Herve Renard.
Zambia face Uganda on Saturday in a 2013 Africa Cup third round final leg qualifier at Namboola Stadium in Kampala.
Zambia’s key playmaker will miss the crucial clash in Kampala due to a groin injury.
Kalaba sustained the injury in action for TP Mazembe on Sunday in a Caf Champions League semifinal first leg game against Esperance of Tunisia that finished scoreless.
“Tomorrow is a difficult game if Rainford was there it would have it would have been a plus,” Renard said in Kampala on Friday in his final pre-match press briefing.
“But the player who will play in his position will do this best our reflection is about the team and not one person.
“We hope to get qualification for him to join us in the finals.”
Renard is likely to play Isaac Chansa in Kalaba’s place.
Chansa had an outstanding 62 minutes in the first leg against Uganda that ended 1-0 in favour of Zambia on September 8 in Ndola.
“Isaac is one of our key players in our midfielder,” Renard said.
“We also have Nathan Sinkala, William Njobvu, Chisamba Lungu, Francis Kasonde and I will not tell you which team I will pick tomorrow.
“But we have disciplined players able to keep the organization and let the storm pass and make the difference at the important time.”
Natuleya bane.Ala inkama kubombehsa
you are with zambia’s best 24. so utilise them accordingly and cone back with positive results please. kalaba or no kalaba, just go out there and win period.
Ba coach we told u 2 call Clifford u refused, now u dont even no who 2 replace Kalaba. U banked so much on him. Dont ever make a mistake 2 start Felix or chamanga. Ukesa ponoka nga twalusa. Wikesako kuno. By the way when is yo contract ending?
when did uganda go to the afcon. uganda they hav nothing to lose in this game and that the problem for the kings of africa. our defence for the trophy makes a jump in uganda. but becareful with direction of the jump kikikikkkikikik go zed
Good luck boys!
Guys, Where is the web site LINK for the UGANDA VS ZAMBIA game in Kampala this afternoon? please more imfo.
He didn’t mention Felix Katongo among midfielders, and since he said he will not tell the team… he has said it all.. Felix, the unfortunate brother to Major General Chris Katongo will start. I like Felix anyway, and I just about to start liking Chris Katongo.
One of the most free-flowing and positive teams and now African champions, Zambia are likely to deploy the same counter-attacking style today on the dreaded turf of Nambole stadium that saw them overcome Uganda in Lusaka a fortnight ago. The last time the Zambians were this good was the late 80s and early 90s.The Chipolopolo played the best football, scored (some of) the best goals, and produced by miles the best goal celebrations at CAN 2012.Their success hasn’t been lucky or accidental, they have simply been brilliant! The Zambian coach will bank on captain and wizard Christopher Katongo (Can I call him wizard?), a bustling striker with a deadly finish and good heading ability.
All the best boys don’t disappoint us ! We believe you can do it boys! Destroy their five year no loss legacy! Its the copper bullet at it again! Tinho baba
we have good player’s but we do’nt use them if loose this afternoon blem the coach’the absence of kalaba we pay for it!(from happenes to cry )
ZAMBIA GO ZAMBIA
My line up
1. Mweene. 2 Nkausu 3. Mbola . 4 Chintu 5. Nsunzu 6. Chansa 7. chisamba 8. sinkala 9. Mayuka 10. chris 11. Felix
Fellow countrymen,as much as we don’t expect to loose in this game,let’s support our team.Win or loose we remain zambians.As for me I know our team is good,the problem is not players but investment in our players.We can do better.