Ghana has set the standard in Group D after a crucial 2-0 away win over Lesotho this afternoon in Maseru.
John Boye headed Ghana into the lead on 43 minutes to give the Black Stars a 1-0 lead into the break.
Asamoah Gyan made sure of the three points away from home after tapping the ball pasted Lesotho goalkeeper Mohau Kuenane.
Ghana topples Zambia from top spot heading into their final Group D match this September.
The Black Stars top on 12 points from five games needing only a draw in their final showdown decider against second placed Zambia on 11 points in Kumasi on September 8.
Botswana coach Stanley Tshosane has unveiled his squad to compete at the 2013 COSAFA Cup in Zambia that runs from July 6-20.
Tshosane has selected a 20-man youthful squad that has a blend of experience.
There are a number of players in the selection who have been involved in the recent 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Young striker Tebogo Sembowa from Gaborone United is one, along with his club mate, the experienced Moemedi Moatlhaping.
Forward Kekaetswe Moloi from Township Rollers has also got the nod in what is a squad filled with locally-based players.
Botswana has been drawn in Group B at the COSAFA Cup Zambia 2013 along with Kenya, Lesotho and Swaziland.
They open their campaign against Swaziland on July 7 in Kitwe.
Botswana squad:
FAZ Super Division leaders Nkana are targeting to strengthen their front line by acquiring at least three strikers in the forthcoming midseason transfer window.
Sources Wusakile have revealed that Nkana wants to poach out of favour Zesco United striker Jimmy Ndhlovu and Forest Rangers forward Green Mumba among other players.
The Nkana bench led by coach Masautso Mwale appears not to be content
with the 15 goals Kalampa have registered so far after a round of 11 matches.
“Nkana is going in serious shopping. Jimmy is willing to join us it’s now up to his club Zesco. They (Nkana) are also targeting another striker at Red Arrows” the source said.
Ndhlovu has seen little action at Zesco under coach Tenant Chembo this season.
FORMER Minister of Finance and National Planning Ng’andu Magande
The opposition National Movement for Progress (NMP) has called for the re-introduction of the National Planning Division at the Ministry of Finance to enable proper coordination of all sectors of the country’s economy.
NMP president Ng’andu Magande observes that re-introduction of the National Planning Division at the Ministry of Finance will also address the issue of continued adhoc decisions being made under the Patriotic Front (PF) government where Ministers have continued making contradictory statements over an issue.
Mr. Magande who is also former Finance Minister notes that dissolving of the National Planning Division at the Ministry of Finance by the PF government has taken the country twenty years backwards to the lost decades era that was characterized by total confusion due lack of proper policy direction and planning.
Mr. Magande has also expressed sadness that under the PF government the National Planning Division has been allegedly replaced by making of individual decisions by either a Minister or the President without keeping in mind the impact of implementing such decisions can have on the people.
He further adds that he pities the current Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda whom he believes should be going through serious pressure in balancing the national budget due to lack of a National Planning Division at the Ministry.
Meanwhile, the Zambia congress of trade union has called for the resignation of finance minister Alexander Chikwanda for causing a budget overrun.
ZCTU general secretary Roy Mwamba says Mr. Chikwanda should not put civil servants under punishment for his mistakes.
Mr. Mwaba has also demanded that government should also remove subsidies on liquor being sold to military personnel instead of fuel and mealie meal.
Coach Herve Renard says Zambia have no excuse for allowing visiting Sudan to hold them to a 1-1 draw in the 2014 World Cup qualifier in Ndola on Saturday.
Renard said Chipolopolo have to blame themselves for failing to beat Sudan at home.
The draw against Sudan has dimmed Chipolopolo’s dream of making their debut at the World Cup next year.
“We are frustrated, but it is our fault. We don’t have any excuse we failed today we drew 1-1.
“We conceded a stupid corner (that resulted in Sudan’s equaliser), we made one mistake in the game,” he said.
After the draw against Sudan, Zambia leads Group D of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers on 11 points, for at least 24 hours before second placed Ghana take on Lesotho away in Maseru on Sunday.
The Black Stars have 9 points while Lesotho and Sudan have two points apiece.
ZAMBIA coach Herve Renard says the Chipolopolo will not give up the fight of qualifying for the 2014 Brazil World Cup finals.
Renard said at a press briefing at Ndola’s Levy Mwanawasa Stadium yesterday that the 1-1 draw with Sudan is frustrating.
He said Zambia will go to Ghana to fight for an outright win to ensure qualification to the last round.
“We didn’t put enough pressure on Sudan the way we did on Lesotho in our previous qualifier. We are very frustrated by this draw. We just need to win in Ghana,” Renard said.
He said Zambians will be cheering Lesotho today when they take on Ghana.
“We hope Lesotho can play like Sudan tomorrow [today]against Ghana,” Renard said.
Zambia skipper Christopher Katongo said the Chipolopolo did not play well in the first half but improved in the second stanza.
Katongo saluted fans for supporting the team and promised not to disappoint them in the last match against Ghana in Kumasi on September 8.
Sudan coach Mohamed ‘Mazda’ Abdullah said he was happy with the result.
“This is a fair result for us,” Abdalla said.
He said his team did not come to Zambia to aid Ghana to qualify to the last round but expose new players to international football.
Sudan captain Sail Idris said the match was tough.
Meanwhile, Football Association of Zambia president Kalusha Bwalya is confident the Chipolopolo will qualify to the last round. Kalusha said Ghana will fall in front of their fans.
“I am confident that we will go through to the next round. We will go to Ghana to beat them,” he said. He described the game against Sudan as tough.
Kalusha said there is no need for Zambians to worry ahead of the match against Ghana. The 1988 African-footballer-of-the-year said everything is possible in football.
Minister of Sport and Youth Chishimba Kambwili said Zambia played well but lucky was not on their side. “The game was okay but I don’t know where we went wrong,” Kambwili said.
Zambia striker Jacob Mulenga said the game was tough-adding that he has already shifted attention to the match against Ghana.
Mulenga said Zambia has a chance to salvage victory in their crucial match against the Black Stars. “My focus now is on our next game against Ghana. It won’t be easy there but our chances of qualifying for the World Cup are still bright,” said the Netherlands-based forward.
Another striker Collins ‘King David’ Mbesuma said the draw against Sudan is disappointing. Mbesuma said they did not expect Sudan to hold them at home.
“We need to prepare adequately for our next game against Ghana. We’ll go to Ghana to prove ourselves that we are a better team by winning. We have beaten Ghana before so they are not a threat to us,” Mbesuma said.
In the last one year, Zambia has beaten Ghana twice – winning 1-0 apiece in the semi-finals at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations and in the 2014 Brazil World Cup qualifying race.
Chipolopolo Soccer Fans Association chairman Yotam Mwanza described the draw as frustrating. Mwanza, however, remained hopeful that the Chipolopolo will deliver a desired result in Kumasi.
He said fans are hoping that Lesotho defies the football hierarchy today by beating Ghana. “We are hoping that Lesotho will do us a favour by drawing or beating Ghana. That will at least put us in a better position as we look forward to our next match,” Mwanza said.
Zambia lead Group D with 11 points, two better than Ghana. Sudan and Lesotho have two points apiece.
“Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17, NKJV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
What does it mean to pray without ceasing? That doesn’t mean for 24 hours a day we should get on our knees and never do anything else, never go to work. I believe this scripture is talking about an attitude. All throughout the day, under our breath, in our thoughts, we’re constantly thinking about God, thanking Him for His goodness, meditating on His promises, and asking for His help. Prayer should be a lifestyle. It should be so ingrained in us that it’s automatic. Develop the habit of acknowledging Him. That’s when God will fight your battles. That’s when God will make the crooked places smooth.
Today, be determined to pray without ceasing. Listen to the Holy Spirit’s prompting to pray. Know that God is with you and for you, and when you acknowledge Him in all your ways, He will direct your paths.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, thank You for another day to live and bless Your name. I choose to pray without ceasing, to honor You, acknowledge You and follow Your leading. Keep me close to You today as I keep my heart and mind on You in Jesus’ name. Amen.
PRESIDENT Sata has urged the people of Feira constituency in Luangwa district to avoid remaining in the opposition by voting for the Patriotic Front (PF) candidate, Patrick Ngoma in the June 20 parliamentary by-elections.
Mr Sata said yesterday in Luangwa where he held three rallies to drum up support for Mr Ngoma ythat most parts of the country supported the the PF which made it easier for his government to deliver.
The president also assured that money to be saved from the removal of fuel and maize subsidies would be channeled towards developing areas such as Feira.
He said at rallies held at Feira grounds,Chitope in senior chief Mburuma’s area and Kaunga grounds that his government would construct three roads in Luangwa that would open up the area for development.
Mr Sata said the government was currently constructing a road in Luangwa while electricity would also be extended to the townships after the district was connected to the national grid.
He said that people of Feira constituency should vote for other parties if they wanted to remain orphans.
He said there was need to work for the children because they were the future generation and all people who aspired to be leaders should work for the children.
“You people who aspire to be leaders should respect the people because if you don’t they will rise against you,” he said.
PF campaign manager for the Feira bye-elections Edgar Ngoma said it was now time for the people in the constituency to change and support the government of the day.
PF deputy secretary general Bridget Attanga urged women who were the majority voters to vote for Mr Ngoma because the PF wanted to build more clinics and other health facilities.
Speaking at the same rallies National Restoration Party (NRP leader Cosmo Mumba said the voters should not think of voting any other party because Mr Sata already president for all the people.
“Mr Hichilema and Dr Mumba including myself may say we are presidents of our parties but Mr Sata is the president for all of us,” he said.
Chief Mpuka commended the government for working on the road and introducing electricity in the district.
Thhe traditional ruler said urged the government to extend electricity to townships and also help in controlling aninmal-human conflicts which was rampant.
He said the government should help in the opening up of a mine in the district so that youths could have employment opportunities.
Lusaka province minister Freedom Sikazwe and other senior party officials accompanied the president for the campaigns.
Sudan derailed Zambia’s 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign on Saturday after forcing a 1-1 away draw in the Group D match at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Mohamed Mazda Abdalla’s team put up a spirited performance despite being out of contention to go to Brazil.
Netherlands based striker Jacob Mulenga headed Zambia in front after 68 minutes following a goalless first half.
Mulenga scored his third goal in the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign from a Fwayo Tembo free kick.
However, Zambia’s celebrations were cut short after Salah Ibrahim Hassan equalised for Sudan two minutes later.
Hassan benefited from the Chipolopolo backline’s failure to clear a coner.
Herve Renard’s side will rue several missed chances in both halves heading into their final group D match against Ghana away in Kumasi in September.
Zambia now leads Group D on 11 points, for at least 24 hours before second placed Ghana who are on 9 points take on Lesotho away in Maseru on Sunday.
Sudan now sits on two points.
The Zambia national team this afternoon played to a 1-all draw with Sudan at Levy Mwanawasa stadium in Ndola. Zambia opened the scoring in the 70th Minute through a goal by Jacob Mulenga before Sudan equalised two minutes later when Malik Muhammad scored.
Zambia still leads the group with 11 points with Ghana who will be playing Lesotho tomorrow on 9 points.
Luangeni Member of Parliament, Charles Zulu says President Michael Sata does not care about becoming unpopular to some few selfish individuals at the expense of bringing out real issues that will develop the country.
Mr Zulu said President Sata was unmoved with the attacks from some people on the removal of subsidies from fuel and maize because what he wanted was to see that development was taken to all parts of the country, especially rural areas.
He was speaking when he addressed a meeting at Chikando Basic School in Luangeni constituency in Chipata yesterday.
Mr Zulu noted that even if President Sata loses the next elections, he would be a hero in the end because of the bold step his government has taken to remove subsidies and channel the money to more essential areas of development.
“President Sata does not care to be voted out but wants to bring real issues that will develop the country and even if he is voted out, he will be a hero in the end because of the decision government has taken now which will benefit more people in future,’’ he said.
Mr Zulu noted that next year, people should put government to task by asking about what the money realised from the removal of subsidies was being used for.
He said the majority of people in rural areas were suffering at the expense of very few individuals who were benefiting from subsidies.
Mr Zulu said a lot of people were still wallowing in poverty even after the country gained independence many years ago because of the bad leadership that was exhibited by some leaders before, adding that instead of implementing what will benefit the majority such as construction of bridges, they took chitenge materials to the people.
Mr Zulu assured the people that President Sata would work towards the improvement of infrastructure development such as roads, health centres and schools in all the constituencies in the country.
“It is sad that 10 years after a bridge has collapsed, it is not worked on and children cannot cross to go to school, while women cannot access the health services during the rainy season because no one can work on the bridge because there are no resources,’’ he added.
Mr Zulu also donated eleven wheelchairs to people who had difficulties to walk in the five wards of Chikando, Kazimule, Nsingo, Khova and Makangila in Luangeni constituency, stating that the improvement of people’s lives was top on President Sata’s agenda.
And Luangeni Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Chairperson Milton Phiri said several development projects would be undertaken in Chikando ward.
Mr Phiri named the projects as Chankhozi Health Post, Chikando Basic School, Tanthwe Basic School, Kamwala Basic School, Nyane Basic School, Chikando Health Post.
Chikando Ward development committee would also buy bicycles for easy mobility.
Government has issued a statement confirming that there was a shooting incident yesterday that resulted in the loss of life. Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Chief Government spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni said that investigation have been launched. Below is the full statement.
STATEMENT BY HON. KENNEDY SAKENI, MP, MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON ON THE CHONGWE SHOOTING
Government wishes to confirm that, on 14th June, 2013, there was a shooting incident that occurred at Zambia National service (ZNS) Airport Farms where two (02) lives were lost and one (01) injured.
Government regrets the loss of lives and sends sympathies to the bereaved families.
The Nation may wish to know that the problem at ZNS Airport Farms has been a long standing issue since the year 2010. Some of the Kampasa community settled on ZNS land had further encroached and resisted vacation.
It is regrettable that this incident happened in that manner when Government, through the Ministry of Defence has facilitated the allocation of fifty (50) Hectares from ZNS land in liaison with Chongwe District Council for the benefit of the squatters.
Unfortunately, some unscrupulous and selfish individuals have further encroached , taken advantage and started selling some of the land.
Government has since instituted investigations into the incident and wishes to appeal to the people of Kampasa to remain calm.
Hon. Kennedy Sakeni, MP MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON
TWO Lusaka’s Kapasa Township residents have been shot dead by Zambia National services (ZNS) officers over the land impasse. The settlers have been insisting that the land belongs to them and not ZNS. Some say they have lived there for more than 25 years.
The third person was injured in the fracas which lasted for over three hours yesterday and was admitted to Levy Mwanawasa Hospital where he is battling for his life after sustaining a gunshot wound on his left leg.
The victims, who have been identified as Clement Muloongo and Pumulo Lungwangwa, were hit with short batons before they were shot at close range, according to reports. One was shot in the head and the other in the chest.
According to eyewitnesses, one of the men raised his hands and begged the officers armed with AK 47 rifles to spare his life but they ignored him and opened fire on him.
The second victim was shot when he tried to rescue his father, who was in the house which was being demolished, while the survivor was shot in the buttocks as he hung around after being evicted from his house.
Lungwangwa’s wife, Harriet Shabantu, said her husband was not confrontational when the officers ordered them to vacate the house.
“I just told my husband that we should secure our documents and National Registration Cards and leave the house to be demolished. We went to the roadside but they followed us….we moved somewhere else and they still followed us and started beating us up. They started shooting and that is how my husband was shot,” she said.
ELINA Ngandu one of the residents who’s house was allegedly raided by Zambia National Service officers in Lusaka’s Kampasa area. INSET: Police remove the body of a victim of yesterday’s shooting in Lusaka’s Kampasa area
But when contacted for a comment, acting police spokesperson Charity Chanda said she had scanty information regarding the shooting incidence but was still waiting for more details.
“I have received information by officers who rushed there this morning but I am still waiting for more information. Right now I only have scanty information,” she said.
Another witness told the reporter that the armed officers visited the area around 05:00 hours accusing them of refusing to vacate the premises on several occasions even when they were aware that the land they were occupying belonged to ZNS.
They said it was at that point that others started resisting and confusion erupted in the process forcing the alleged officers to start shooting which lead to the death of the deceased two men and wounding of the other.
“We are shaken. This is our land we have stayed here for years, now if they remove us from here where are we going to go because our children do not know any other place other than this one,” they complained.
The residents had since called on the police to ensure that the culprits were brought to book because they had killed innocent people who were fighting for what belonged to them and their rights to shelter.
“There was no protest for the officers to open fire at us, we were just arguing because it was only this week when we were being assured by higher authorities that we will not be moved so we were shocked to see officers demanding that we be moved claiming we were occupying illegal land, we have been over 10 years,” they said.
But some of the officers found at the scene claimed the residents became unruly and started throwing stones at them a situation which led to others to open fire at them in a bid to stop them from throwing stones.
A ZNS officer only identified as P M Solochi, who was sent to gather facts about the incident in Kampasa, defended the officers saying they shot at the people in self-defence.
He alleged that the settlers were not co-operative and some even threw stones at the officers.
Many houses, including a Church of God centre and Patriotic Front (PF) office, were damaged during the operation by ZNS officers, who also allegedly threatened to burn the settlers’ maize.
A 54-year-old widow, Elina Ng’andu, who burst into tears, said she had nowhere to go after her house was demolished.
Ms Ng’andu and other settlers were found picking up their belongings to camp by the roadside.
Some local people said they were surprised that ZNS officers demolished and damaged their houses despite assurances from “some authorities” that their houses would not be touched.
Chipolopolo take on Sudan in Saturday’s Group D 2014 World Cup qualifier in Ndola hoping to maintain their status at the top of the pool.
The match at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium is expected to be a grudge after Sudan lost three points off Zambia for fielding an ineligible player in the reverse fixture on June 2, 2012 in Khartoum.
Sudan convincingly beat Zambia 2-0 but FIFA penalized them for fielding defender Saif Ali who was serving a suspension from the 2012 Africa Cup and who also scored his sides’ second goal in that first leg home game.
Meanwhile Chipolopolo take on Sudan motivated after thumping Lesotho 4-0 in last weekend’s Group D match in Ndola.
Sudan on the other hand were thrashed 3-1 by Ghana just 24 hours earlier on June 7 in Omdurman .
A win for Zambia in Ndola would keep them at the top of Group D ahead of the final match against Ghana in Kumasi this September.
Herve Renard’s team sits on 10 points, one above the Black Stars; while Lesotho are on two points and bottom placed Sudan have one point.
The Black Stars are away to Lesotho on June 16 in their penultimate Group D match, 24 house after Zambia host Sudan in Ndola.
Kapiri Mposhi, 14 June 2013, ZANIS—Some small scale farmers in Kapiri Mposhi district in the central province are selling a 50 kilo gram bag of maize at twenty-four kwacha rebased.
A random check by ZANIS in Mukonchi and Chipepo areas revealed that some farmers were selling the grain to briefcase businessmen who have flooded the district.
And government says it is very concerned that some small scale farmers in the district were selling their maize at a giveaway price.
District commissioner Beatrice Sikazwe has urged the farmers to sell their maize at the recommended government price of KR65 per 50 kilo gram bag .
Ms. Sikazwe has also implored private buyers of maize other than the FRA not to exploit the farmers.
The DC noted that government was spending huge sums of money to subsidize farming inputs and it will not suffice for small scale farmers to sell their grain at cheap and uneconomic prices.
Ms. Sikazwe advised small scale farmers in the district not to fall prey to briefcase businessmen who are buying maize at a cheap and un-recommended floor price.
The DC assured farmers that government will this year allocate enough funds to provide a market and buy their maize at the recommended price of KR65.00 per 50 kg bag.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture in Kapiri Mposhi district has registered over 68,000 small scale farmers to benefit from the newly introduced Electronic Voucher (E-voucher) system of input distribution.
District Agriculture Coordinator, Benny Tembo, told ZANIS that the district has updated the farmers register and was ready to implement the E-voucher system of input distribution this year.
Mr. Tembo said the E-voucher system is aimed at ensuring efficiency in the delivery of farming inputs to the intended farmers on time.
Kapiri Mposhi district is among the ten districts in the country were the E-voucher system of input distribution will be piloted starting this year.
