NATIONAL soccer team coach Herve Renard has said efficiency and psychological preparedness can win Zambia tomorrow’s 2010 World Cup and African Cup qualifier against Egypt.
Renard said after yesterday’s training session at Garden Park Stadium in Kitwe that his charges needed to be more efficient at goal and strong in their minds to beat Egypt at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe.
Renard said sometimes games were won through psychological preparedness than physical and that Zambia was capable of holding their own against the six-time African champions.
“We have to be more efficient and strong in our minds to beat Egypt. Sometimes, it’s all about psychological preparedness than physical.
We managed to be at the same level with Egypt in Cairo and I don’t think they are more physical than us,” he said.
Zambia needs to win tomorrow’s match to snatch a ticket to Angola for the Africa Cup. However, the Frenchman predicted a tough game against the Pharaohs since they were still in contention for a World Cup ticket from Group C, but that the Chipolopolo would be ready to spoil their party.
Algeria lead Group C on 10 points, Egypt are at seven points, with Zambia in third place on four points, while Rwanda have a paltry one point.
Renard said while Egypt needed to be respected as African champions, tomorrow’s game would equally be important for Zambia’s African Cup finals aspirations.
With striker Jacob Mulenga sitting out of training yesterday due to injury, Renard said it now looked difficult for the Holland-based player to make the final 18 players for the Egypt assignment.
He was still hopeful that the burly striker could shake up the injury and be part of his squad for tomorrow’s crunch tie.
Despite Mulenga’s injury, Renard expressed satisfaction with his striking options and was particularly happy with Moroka Swallows striker, Collins Mbesuma’s form.
He said Zambia’s biggest problem was failure to convert scoring chances into goals during the campaign, but now hoped Mbesuma could help resolve this malaise.
Renard said his main focus this week had been working on poor scoring rate and that better organisation on the pitch was equally important in such games.
The Zambian trainer expressed happiness with progress in the striking department and also said Germany-based mid fielder Andrew Sinkala had fitted well in the squad.
Renard also said all foreign-based players were fitting well in the team and was pleased with the return of midfield ace Rainford Kalaba after serving a suspension in the last game.
He said Kalaba and Felix Katongo combined well in the midfield, but regretted the suspension of the South Africa-based player.
Renard was also hopeful that Konkola Stadium would be up to the standard for tomorrow’s must-win tie.
Only the group winner is assured of a place at the World Cup finals in South Africa, while the top three in each group progress to Angola for the continental showpiece.
[Times of Zambia]
The Phoraos are here to give amakula a good whip.
mind your language!who is amakula?mukamwa kusasa.support your team.have you ever been to egypt?kamushi iwe
how is it hard for players to hit the ball in the net pliz. zambians learn to strike the net thats the importance of soccer not drillbleing. i wish i could come and show you how we do it here in canada. by the way it doesn’t matter how far you are from the goal,the moment you the goalie kupwalala shot. zambia all you need are goals they is nothing wrong with the team and the players. you have better players that can shot but they don’t know how to shot on their own unless they are told by a captain. players chansa, jacob,joseph even though he is a di, not forgetting the cpt himself. these pipo can’t shot.
you guys make other pipo sick as they watch you. you guys are better than european players trust me. no wonder you c lots of european team are geting players from africa. to b a star…
i was saying to be a star you don’t have to play in an english league and spanish. you can be a star by yourself in your country. a star that makes the country happy and proud of you. don’t play soccer to look like a star so that can go play for english leagues or spanish leagues. but play soccer for fun if those pipo in the premeir league want you, they will come for you. then you don’t have to lose a lot of money for going there. guys just be yourselves and play every game like a final that you don’t win you gona hug yourself. and don’t be intimidated by plays from english like zaki. he is nothing but a piece of sh*********t.
good luck boys and have fun. don’t worry about losing. its part of the game.
not all champions win. you lose tis time, pull up your socks next time.
Renard did his best with the resources that were available to him.
You just can’t blame him.
As the saying goes “Garbage in ,Garbage out”.The problem with Zambian football is largely administrative.To hit the nail on the head,it’s FAZ.
However,the trade mark of most Zambians is knowing how to prolong problems instead of solving them.Zambians are experts in that area.So I will just stand aside and watch Zambian football plunge deeper into the abyss.