FIRST Republican president Kenneth Kaunda says the nation owes it to God for winning the Orange Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time.

Dr Kaunda thanked God saying without his guidance, the Chipolopolo would not have emerged victorious.

Fourth Republican president Rupiah Banda said there was no better way of honouring 1993 fallen heroes that perished in Gabon other than winning the Africa Cup in Libreville.

Mr Banda commended the splendid performance that the Zambian soccer team put up.

The two former leaders said this yesterday at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport on arrival from Gabon.

“I am glad that the boys put up a splendid performance and I must say that there is no better way of honouring the 1993 heroes than winning the Africa cup on the grounds where their mentors perished,” Mr Banda said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Given Lubinda said the victory was phenomenal for Zambia and congratulated the team. “We had to wait for the African Cup for a long time, the victory is God’s intervention and it is God sent. The favour of God is upon this country.

“The people of Zambia did it in politics in September 2011, when they successfully changed Government and they have done it again in sports by winning the Africa Cup,” the minister said.
He said the country should unite and succeed in achieving victory in the economic sectors and other developmental areas.

Meanwhile Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Zhou Yuxiao has also joined others to congratulate the Zambia national football team. He said the Chinese people as friends of Zambia had also joined in celebrating the victory of Zambia with Zambians.

Mr Zhou said some Chinese companies operating in Zambia showed solidarity by chartering airplanes to ferry soccer fans to Gabon to watch the finals and that the gesture was not in vain s evidenced by the victory.

He said the Chinese Government would continue to render support in improving sports in Zambia.

At the showgrownds, vice-president Guy Scott and other senior government officials joined thousands of Zambians who had gathered to welcome the ‘Chipolopolo boys.’

Police and other security wings had a tough time to control the crowds that arrived at the venue for the welcome ceremony.

Because of the confusion that reigned by the excited fans and supporters, the Vice president and the players’ stay in the showground was cut short as they had to be whisked away.

According to a tentative program that was issued by the ministry of sports, the vice president was supposed to address the fans at the showgrounds.

FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya and the team captain, Christopher Katongo were also supposed to have spoken at the showground.

The triumphant squad touched down at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at 15:28 hours throwing the soccer-mad crowd that had braved the blistering heat into frenzy.

Soccer fans, some of whom arrived at the airport as early as 07:00hrs besieged the airport apron as the aircraft carrying the newest continental kings was taxing on the runway.

When the plane finally landed, fire engines draped in national colours provided even more spectacle when they sprinkled it with water that formed an arc of thunder under which the chattered plane passed.

In the intervening moments, former presidents Kenneth Kaunda and Rupiah Banda arrived as the former added to the electrifying atmosphere when he abandoned his walking stick to jog to the VIP lounge in sharp defiance of his 88-year-old frame.

Zambia police and Zambia army officers, some of them armed to their teeth, watched helplessly as the fans broke the security cordon to perch right at the foot of the plane from which the team would disembark.

First out was Republican Vice-President Guy Scott and his wife Charlotte while Sport and Youth Minister Chishimba Kambwili sauntered behind alongside Information, Broadcasting, and Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda and other Government dignitaries.

All this while, the jubilant fans broke into the ‘Donchi Kubeba’ and Chipolopolo song while flashing the PF symbol of a clenched fist as the Government delegation gladly reciprocated.

The rest of the passengers evacuated the plane with only an occasional cheer before an almost five-minute wait for the players to start coming out by which time the country took a deep breath awaiting the inevitable.

Out came Stopilla Sunzu who took the decisive penalty in the lottery in the championship match followed by Nyambe Mulenga, Rainford Kalaba, Collins Mbesuma and Joseph Musonda on clutches.

The rest of the players followed in immaculate navy blue suits and orange neckties, winners’ medals dangling down their necks and a top scorer’s trophy in the case of Emmanuel Mayuka in recognition of his three goals.

Then came the moment when skipper Christopher Katongo, in black sheds, with his coach Herve Renard, still in his white shirt magic wand, and FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya in tow emerged from the aircraft hoisting the AFCON trophy aloft.

The sea of predominantly green shirted fans, some in orange and white broke into a loud cheer before quickly rushing back to the vehicles to embark on the long winding journey to the showgrounds where their counterparts had kept vigil all day.

What should have been a 15 minutes ride to the showgrounds took over an hour for the players who rode on open military trucks showing off the trophy and meandering through a forest of soccer fans who lined the entire route from the airport.

Some fans cheered from the roof tops of their cars as others joined in the procession running alongside the two trucks carrying the players while others still made a mockery of the warning by the Inspector General of the Police Dr Martin Malama to stay clear of the roads as they tried to jump on any vehicle available.

In the ensuing confusion that saw some daring supporters throw themselves on the road, traffic police had their work cut out in trying to sweep the Great East Road that was reduced to half a lane forcing the trophy procession to move at a pace that would make a snail an olympic sprint champion.

Women and children were not left out as they too lined the Great East Road some still in their school uniforms hoisting screaming banners reading, ‘It had to come,’ ‘Welcome home our heroes,’ with others singling out individual players like ‘Long live Mweene!’

NEWLY-crowned African champions, Chipolopolo yesterday arrived back home as the ecstasy in the country peaked, breaking the political, cultural, and societal differences.

[Times of Zambia]

Romance is in the air. Chocolate hearts, roses, and greeting cards are everywhere.

How are you celebrating valentines day? Today 14th Febuary couples all over the world are expressing their love for one another in different ways .

It shouldn’t  matter whether you gift is big or small , expensive or cheap . The best gifts are the ones that come from the heart , the ones that really show how much you care. So guys forget about the usual flowers ,chocolates ,jewelry and do something creative and make this a valentines day to remember. This goes for ladies too , don’t just sit and wait for your man to get you something ,  surprise him with something special too.

A nice way to start your valentines day is to write down what you like most about each other .Whether you are in a new relationship or have been together for years , its always nice to be reminded of the things your partner loves most about you.

Enjoy this selection of music for Valentines day

Beyonce ~ Smash Into You

 Pompi (zambia)- Make Up

Lauryn Hill & Bob Marley – Turn Your Lights Down Low

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JREcKmXDeAs

Black Collar(Zambia) – Will You Be (My Valentine)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLDbfEQg4lM

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date:
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimm’d;
And every fair from fair sometime declines,
By chance or nature’s changing course untrimm’d;
But thy eternal summer shall not fade
Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest;
Nor shall Death brag thou wander’st in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou growest:
So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this and this gives life to thee.

– William Shaespeare

BY KAPA187

The First Lady, Dr. Christine Kaseba-Sata will tomorrow host a special luncheon at State House in honour of the triumphant Chipolopolo Boys. This is according to a press statement released to the Media by State House.

And President Michael Sata has sent heartfelt congratulations to the Chipolopolo Boys for winning the 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations trophy in Libreville, Gabon last night. The President said the team’s momentous achievement has further galvanized the country which has undergone great renewal of hope in the last few months.

“You went with admirable humility, competed with heart, unity and patriotism and accounted for every drop of your sweat. The result of your hard work is the trophy which you have brought to your motherland for the first time,” the Head of State said.

President Sata said Government attaches great importance to the development of football and is greatly encouraged by the splendid performance of the Zambia National Soccer Team.

“That is precisely why I sent our beloved icon and founding president Dr Kenneth David Kaunda, my predecessor Mr. Rupiah Bwezani Banda and His Honour the Vice-President Dr Guy Scott and Cabinet ministers. This gesture was meant to demonstrate to you and the entire nation how much importance we attach to football and how this sport unifies our country,” the President said.

“Indeed, you have demonstrated once again that nothing beats unity and hope and it is my desire that you will continue with this spirit as you pursue even greater success.”

[pullquote]This gesture was meant to demonstrate to you and the entire nation how much importance we attach to football and how this sport unifies our country,” the President said.[/pullquote]

President Sata said with the 2014 World Cup qualifiers kicking off in June this year, it is imperative for the team to continue working hard to record yet another milestone at a higher level.

“You have really honoured your departed colleagues who perished during the course of national duty off the coast of Gabon. To the coaches, team management, Football Association of Zambia executive and everybody involved, I say it is a job well done,” the President said.

Zambia coach Herve Renard has dedicated his team’s title triumph at the 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations to Chipolopolo legend Kalusha Bwalya for giving him the opportunity to handle the team. The Frenchman describes the feat as a thank you package for the impact in his coaching career.

“He is the best Zambian player of the last century and he escaped the plane crash. He was criticized for giving me the second chance. I dedicate the victory to him because he gave me the opportunity to coach. I also thank Claude Le Roy for giving me my first experience in Africa as assistant coach in 2008 with Ghana.” Renard added that his team was destined to win the title after a campaign that saw them start every game as underdogs.

“It was unrealisable before the start of the tournament and we realised we have to believe in ourselves. We were not the best team but have the strength to fight on.

“We wanted to honour the dead players and that strengthened us. Our first game was against Senegal and the team was on its way to Senegal for a match when the plane crashed. The plane crashed in Gabon and we won the final in Gabon. It is a sign of destiny.”

The Frenchman for 8 years run a hands on rubbish removal company when he started out as a coach.

“When I started my life as a coach I was running my own company cleaning the communal parts of buildings,” he explained. “I used to get up at 3.00am for five days a week to do it. Putting out the bins was part of the deal.  I’ll remember those moments before the game against Côte d’Ivoire. It was a difficult time.” he said before the cup final.

[pullquote]When I started my life as a coach I was running my own company cleaning the communal parts of buildings,” he explained. “I used to get up at 3.00am for five days a week to do it. Putting out the bins was part of the deal.[/pullquote]

Eight years of hauling refuse around at dawn are far behind him now. And at 43 the Renard has Africa ’s most glittering football prize in his pocket.

The 2012 competition has been his third in all and his second as head coach and with the result of the dramatic win over the tournament favorites in the final, his value has now sharply risen.

“My path has been up and down,” he reflected. “It’s not always easy because when you don’t have a name you have to take somewhere more difficult than people with names. They are able to start somewhere immediately at a higher level but perhaps it’s a good thing as you get stronger mentally.”

The feature of his Zambia side has been its resilience and organisation as they’ve confounded supposedly stronger teams such as Senegal in the opening game in Bata three weeks ago and most notably Ghana and Ivory Coast .

“I was 15 when I signed my first contract with Cannes and I remember how lucky I was to start in the academy there,” Renard recalls. “I met some fantastic players. Arsène Wenger was coach of the academy and Jean-Marc Guillou, the coach of the first team. Afterwards there was Jean Fernandez, Guy Lacombe and Claude [Le Roy]. All fantastic people and when they were talking I concentrated and listened to these people.”

And the Frenchman is hoping that the performance of his team will open bigger doors for most of Zambian players to play in Europe

Zambia has the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations title for the first time by beating tournament favourites Ivory Coast on penalties 8-7 in a penalty shoot-out after the game in Libreville ended goalless.

After 14 penalties, Stoppila Sunzu scored the winning goal for Zambia after goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene saved Kolo Toure’s spot-kick and Gervinho blasted over. Rainford Kalaba missed for the Zambians.

Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba missed a penalty for his side in the 70th minute when he side-footed the ball over the cross-bar.

Zambia dominated the game and should have scored in regulation time but failed to make the most of their chances, with Ivorian goalkeeper Boubacar Barry pulling off a number of excellent saves.

In the penalty shoot-out it was Zambian goalkeeper Mweene who was the hero for his side as he not only saved one penalty, he also scored the fifth for his side.

The Ivorians are the first team not to win the competition even though they did not concede a single goal. They also lost the 2006 final against Egypt on penalties.

Zambia’s first African title has came in the same city where 18 Zambian internationals died in a plane crash in 1993 in the country’s worst sporting disaster.