As Zambia gets ready for the match against Ivory coast on sunday ,here is a look at another one of our players.
Lungu started his career in the ranks of domestic club Zanaco FC. He soon caught the eye of several European scouts, and eventually signed with Georgian top division side FC Baia Zugdidi.
After one season in Georgia, Baia and Ural, a club in Russia, reached an agreement over the transfer of Lungu who signed a two-year contract.Becoming the first player from Africa in the Ural history, he made his debut in the Russian First Division on August 24, 2010 against FC Avangard Kursk.
National Restoration Party leader Elias Chipimo jr
The National Restoration Party (NAREP) has advised the government to be engaging in broader consultation with the stakeholders before making any policy decisions.
NAREP president Elias Chipimo says that there is need for the PF government to explain the rationale behind the creation of districts and also indicate to the Zambians the cost implications.
Mr. Chipimo notes that creation of the new districts is most likely to create temporary jobs that will come with the construction of infrastructure among others adding that government needs to come up with decisions that will have long term positive effects on the lives of the Zambians.
The opposition leader has also asked government to make public the costs involved in the reversal of the Zamtel sale to lapgreen of Libya.
He says that even if the government has a right to repossess assets that may seem to be of national interest, it is important for it to understand the consequences of such actions.
Mr. Chipimo has further advised president Sata to engage high calibre legal advisors to avoid lapses  in the operations of government.
He observes that government cannot rely on the attorney general alone as he is occupied with so many things in his line of duty.
Mr. Chipimo was speaking to journalists in Lusaka today.
And Mr. Chipimo has noted that there is no harm with the chipolopolo boys doing the “don’t kubeba”style when celebrating the scores on the pitch.
Mr. Chipimo says the copper bullet boys should be allowed to celebrate in the manner in which they feel like adding that soccer is not about politics but a unifying factor that should be used  bring people together.
He has since wished the chipolopolo boys the very best into tomorrow’s final encounter with Ivory Coast.
LAND has been identified in Choma where infrastructure for the provincial capital of Southern Province will be constructed.
The piece of land, about five kilometres from the central business district on the Livingstone-Lusaka road, is expected to accommodate 200 offices.
Last year, the Patriotic Front (PF) Government relocated the Southern province capital from Livingstone to Choma and allocated K15 billion for infrastructure development.
Southern province Minister Miles Sampa said in Livingstone yesterday in an interview that the provincial administration was currently discussing the matter with the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication.
“We don’t want to build offices in the central business district of Choma because the area is already congested.
We want to move slightly away from town so that Choma becomes a large town. We’ll have all Government ministries at the identified site,” Mr Sampa said.
He said the next step would be to advertise the project in the press so that contractors could bid.
The minister has pledged to ensure the construction of infrastructure at the new provincial capital was completed within 12 months to beat the deadline of two and half years which was recently announced by President Michael Sata.
“I wish to warn bogus contractors who will be coming to Choma to try and engage in the construction of the provincial capital of Southern Province that the Government will not tolerate such people.
“We will soon advertise for the construction of the provincial capital and we want professionals to come here to do the work,” he said.
Mr Sampa said he would be the first one to report bogus contractors to law enforcement agencies such as the Zambia Police, Anti -Corruption Commission (ACC) and Drug Enforcement Commission.
President Micheal Sata with Former President Rupiah Banda
Former Zambian President Rupiah Bwezani Banda has joined the high-powered Zambian delegation sent by President Michael Sata to Gabon to give support to the Zambia National Soccer team. Mr Banda will be part of the Zambian delegation to Libreville, Gabon to attend the closing ceremony and watch the final match between Zambia and Ivory Coast.
This was after President Sata requested the former head of state, who is an ardent soccer fan to join First Republican president Dr Kenneth David Kaunda, Republican Vice-President Dr Guy Scott and other Zambian dignitaries who are traveling to Gabon to give solidarity and support to the Chipolopolo Boys as they play their final match tomorrow.
And in a press statement made available to the media by State house, President Michael Sata has sent a goodwill and solidarity message to the gallant Chipolopolo Boys, ahead of tomorrow’s Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) final match in Libreville, Gabon.
In yet another passionate call to the Zambia National Soccer Team, the President said the entire nation is proud of the excellent successes the team has recorded during this period.
“No doubt, Zambia has become one of the continent’s leading team in football following a convincing and outstanding performance of our heroic Chipolopolo Boys at the 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations tournament,” President Sata said.
The President wished the team every success in the final and counseled them to remain resolute and optimistic especially with the unwavering support they are enjoying from both the Government and the Zambian people in general.
“We are confident that the Chipolopolo Boys will emerge victorious and subsequently return with the trophy to Zambia after many years of attempts to clinch gold at this prestigious African tournament,” the Head of State said.
“We wish our brave and gifted ambassadors the very best of luck and urge them to make Zambia proud once more. Let them know that after this final match, they shall forever remain winners and true representatives of our motherland.”
Investrust Bank PLC has opened a ‘Goodwill’ bank account for the Zambia National Soccer Team dubbed ‘well played Chipolopolo’ in which soccer fans can deposit their contributions to acknowledge the team’s success at the ongoing AFCON.
Investrust Bank Public Relations Manager Ackim Mwale says the bank management was encouraged to provide a conduit to raise money for the team following Chipolopolo boys’ impressive semi final performance against tournament favourites Ghana.
Mwale says the money deposited in the said account will be given to the team when it comes back. He says those wishing to donate to the Chipolopolo boys can deposit in the ‘Well played Chipolopolo’ account number 11-07010145077-013 at any Investrust bank branch.
Mwale says the bank will go a step further by finding a way of encouraging high-level recognition of the players’ individual performance through collaboration with various corporate companies and personal customers.
File: Former Republican Vice President Mr George Kunda proposes a toast to vice president of India Hamid Ansari during a State banquet in Lusaka when MMD was in power
The move to search former Republican Vice President George Kunda’s parents in Serenje has been described as cheap and desperate acts by government. Red card for youth Job creation has described the move by Police as unprofessional.
Organization representative Sunday Chanda has also described the PF manner of governance as tantamount to dictatorial. He stated that the police will meet the soul force if they continue with the unprofessional tendencies.
Mr. Chanda maintained that the dictatorial type of governance the PF is allegedly exhibiting will bow down to the people’s will.
Yesterday Police are said to have raided Former Republican Vice president George Kunda’s parents farm as part of the on going investigation of plunder of national resources.
Police seized 46 bags of Mealie Meal, two sewing Machines, 10 cycle pumps.
Central Province Commissioner of Police Solomon Jere confirmed the operation.
Zambia’s R&B Prince ROBERTO is back, bigger than ever! With the
pending release of his latest single “Osanisiya So” just around the
corner. Zambia’s R&B prince will be doing something that no Zambian
artist has done to date, by jet setting on a worldwide promotion of
the single. Roberto will be making his first stop in South Africa
Johannesburg, then to London UK marking the official international
launch on the 13th of February. Later he will be off across the
continent to Australia and back again to Zambia. Upon his return to
Zambia Roberto will have a stint around the country in promotion of
the single, and is later expected to travel to Uganda and Namibia
respectively. Other countries he has set his eyes on are Nigeria,
Botswana and Tanzania. So if you are a Roberto fan, keep coming back
for more updates, because he could be in a town near you…..
“Osanisiya So” is officially out on the 13th February, with early
digital downloads from the 30th of January on major download sites
such as iTunes, Spotify, Rhapsody, and Nokia just to name a few.
Roberto is expected to hold special CD signings around Zambia within
the month of March; for all those that will be purchasing the physical
copies of the single. Those that purchase a physical copy of the
single stand a chance of winning a one of a kind Osanisiya So Roberto
T-shirt, a large calendar poster and the opportunity to co-host the
drive time show with the man himself on Q-FM Zambia. For those that
purchase the single online, we have not left you out as we are giving
away 5 Osanisiya T-Shirts, simply email a copy of the payment receipt
you have received after your order of the single has been processed to [email protected] and the lucky five drawn will be
announced during the drive time show on Friday the 30th of March. The
Online competition closes on Wednesday the 28th of March for more
information, news and updates on Roberto go to www.officialroberto.com
Zambia striker Emmanuel Mayuka has said it is an honor for him to have made the pilgrimage to Beach Sabliere in Libreville on Thursday.
The 22 year old striker said after visiting the shores of the beach, where the bodies of the 30 victims died in the 1993 air crash, that he was inspired to work even harder on Sunday to lift Zambia’s first Africa cup.
“For me it was an honor to be there even though I was very young when it happened,” Mayuka said.
“I hope to finish what they started but did not finish.”
And Mayuka said he hoped to keep his dreams to finish as top scorer this Sunday at Stade d’Angondje and help Zambia lift their first Africa Cup title.
“I believe it is every strikers dream to be top scorer but we will see how it goes,” the striker from Young Boys in Switzerland said.
Mayuka is currently one of three players vying for the 2012 golden boot together with Zambia captain Christopher Katongo and Cote d’Ivoire striker Didier Drogba on three goals each.
Meanwhile, Zambia visited Beach Sabliere just hours after landing at midday from Equatorial Guinea where they had just beaten Ghana 1-0 24 hours early in Bata.
The team went down to the Beach Sabliere located in an affluent suburb of Libreville at 17:00 hours Gabon team under heavy police escort led by Kalusha Bwalya who was accompanied by his wife, CAF and FAZ life member Tom Mtine and sports minister Chishimba Kambwili.
The entourage sung solemn hymns, laid wreaths before Captain Christopher Katongo closed the ceremony with a prayer in the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.
File: President Michael Sata talks to First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda at State House
President Michael Sata has expressed deep sorrow and profound grief on the loss of innocent lives arising from victory celebrations after the Chipolopolo boys qualified for the AfCON final last Wednesday.
And former president Dr Kenneth David Kaunda has joined the Zambian delegation that will travel to Gabon to attend the closing ceremony and final of the Africa Cup of Nations, which will take place in Libreville on February 12, 2012.
In his message of condolences, the President said it was truly regrettable that such distressing events occurred at a time when the entire country was engulfed into celebrations following the Zambia National Soccer Team’s victory over Ghana.
“I am devastated to learn that during this joyous period we recorded a total of 32 accidents and out of the 32, four (4) were grave in which seven (7) lives were lost. A number of families have lost their beloved ones and there are no words to capture the magnitude of the calamity that has befallen the surviving family members,” President Sata said.
“Let me encourage those affected that the people of Zambia join them in mourning their loved ones and our hearts go out to the bereaved families. We also remember the injured and all those traumatized by these terrible incidences. We pray that the Almighty God gives them comfort and fortitude.”
President Sata urged the people to celebrate responsibly and hoped that justice would be served in the trial of those arrested and charged for various offences after the accidents.
The Head of State has directed the police and other law enforcement agencies to be alert and ensure that law and order prevails during this period.
And Dr Kaunda has joined the Zambian delegation that will this weekend travel to Libreville, Gabon to attend the final match between Zambia and Ivory Coast.
“Our gallant boys need someone to motivate them and uplift their spirits even higher. Obviously, there can be no better person in Zambia today to perform this role other than our founding father, Dr Kenneth David Kaunda,” President Sata said.
“Its for this reason that as a Government we find it appropriate and befitting that our beloved icon accompanies the Republican Vice-President and several Zambians to this historic occasion.”
Meanwhile, the President has also conveyed his message of condolences to the families of Chipata magistrate Mirriam Nachalwe and Mpulungu Harbour port manager Bowlings Kasonde.
Ms Nachalwe died in Chipata General Hospital on Tuesday night and Mr Kasonde died in the UK whilst on national duty.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism Given Lubinda has disclosed that Government has stepped up measures aimed at attracting economically gigantic investors to conduct business in Zambia.
Mr. Lubinda said Government would work hard towards engaging economic giants to invest in Zambia so as to create more job opportunities for Zambians.
He said Zambians were expecting more jobs to be created now that the Patriotic Front (PF) is in power.
The Minister said government was therefore working on fulfilling the promises the PF made in the pre-election campaigns which earned the party support of many Zambians.
Mr. Lubinda said the creation of more job opportunities would be done side by side with the fight against corruption.
He said corruption erodes investor confidence hence it should be fought mercilessly.
Mr. Lubinda said genuine investors feared to conduct business in a corrupt infested society because they know their business cannot thrive.
He said this when he wound up his ten days working visit to the United States of America.
While in the US, Mr. Lubinda attended the 40th annual convention of the Safari Club International in Las Vegas where at least 20 Zambian safari operators were exhibiting and held various meetings with US government officials in Washington DC
Police in Serenje have recovered various assorted items from former Vice President George Kunda’s farm in Serenje.
The recovery is part of the on going investigation of plunder of national resources.
Among the items that have been recovered included 46 bags of Mealie Meal, two sewing Machines, 10 cycle pumps.
Central Province Commissioner of Police SOLOMON JERE said the items were recovered this morning after an operation.
Dr JERE said other items recovered include MMD campaign materials and three vehicles which he said were recovered from Kabwe.
He also said a light canter has also been recovered from MMD Chisamba MP MOSES MUTETEKA.
But when contacted for a comment Mr KUNDA said he deserves some respect from the Police because he served as a commander of the armed forces, including the police themselves.
Mr KUNDA also said he enjoyed some immunity as he at times acted as President of Zambia and described the recovery as mere persecution.
File: Former education Minister Clement Sinyinda is being dressed in traditional attire during his installation as the new Ngambela of Barosteland
President Michael Sata has accused the newly appointed Prime Minister of Barotseland Clement Sinyinda of peddling lies that government intends to remove Lukulu, Sesheke and Kaoma districts from western province.
The President wondered how the government can remove the three districts from western province when it is actually in the process of creating more districts to decentralize its operations.
He has further accused the UPND of misleading the people of Solwezi through traditional rulers that Solwezi will soon be aligned to the copperbelt province.
Mr Sata regretted that the UPND and Mr. Sinyinda have failed to understand the geography of the country.
President Sata has since urged all constitutional office bearers to defend the constitution of the republic of Zambia from the people with selfish political ambitions capable of dividing the nation.
The President Sata was speaking when he swore in the Gershom Siame as senior private secretary at State house, Rapson Soko and Anthony Kabaso as deputy private secretaries respectively.
The President also sworn in Teddy Mulonga as deputy secretary to the Cabinet and Dr. Kawaye Kamanga as chairperson for the public service commission. Agness Musunga is the new permanent secretary in the ministry of youth and sport.
And President Sata has warned State House officials against selling appointments to people wishing to see him.
President Sata said that he will not hesitate to dismiss anyone that found engaging in corrupt practices saying people wishing to see him should be accorded an opportunity if his schedule allows.
And Mr Sata has directed Cabinet office to find a replacement for Sydney Wataya who was appointed deputy director for the Anti- Corruption Commission (ACC) but has not taken up the appointment.
Mr.Wataya is currently working in the United States of America (USA) for that country’s government.
President Sata in giving the directive stated that the country cannot afford to wait for Mr Wataya to come and be sworn-in in September when there are many Zambians who are capable of doing the job.
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) President Kalusha Bwalya
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) President Kalusha Bwalya says he is surprised to see the Chipolopolo boys reach the finals of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
Kalusha has told the BBC that it’s important that the Chipolopolo boys do well in the finals on Sunday both for themselves and also to mark the death of Twenty five Zambian players and officials who died in an air crash off the Gabonese coast in 1993.
And Kalusha Bwalya has saluted Zambia’s attacking trio of Christopher Katongo, Rainford Kalaba and Emmanuel Mayuka for inspiring the team to Sunday’s Africa Nations Cup final.
Bwalya told SuperSport.com in Libreville on Thursday that the trio had epitomised Zambia’s football adventure at this year’s Africa Cup tournament.
“Christopher Katongo is doing a fantastic job; Rainford is there too, Mayuka is getting the goals and we have two players on three goals each,”Kalusha said.
“And we also have (defender) Stopilla Sunzu coming from behind to score a header.”
Strikers Katongo and Mayuka are both in line for the Africa Cup golden boot award on three goals each heading into Sunday’s final against Ivory Coast in Libreville.
Midfielder Kalaba has been Zambia’s engine since the tournament began for them on January 21 in Bata despite scoring just one goal in five games heading into the final.
Bwalya said it was a great moment to see his successors take Zambia to the Africa Cup finals for the first time since 1994 when they finished second to Nigeria.
“I told the boys; you guys can score goals and enjoy the adventure and see what we can get. It is a proud moment for me,”Kalusha said.
United Party for National Development leader Hakainde Hichilema
Leader of the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) Hakainde Hichilema has dared Republican President Michael Sata to have him arrested for being against the re-alignment of districts in southern province.
Mr. Hichilema has advised President Sata and Home Affairs minister Kennedy Sakeni to stop searching for citizens to arrest but instead have him arrested.
He said that it is dictatorial for the PF government to issue warnings to citizens that have different views from that of government.
The opposition leader has demanded that sanity returns to the democratic governance of the country which he says has been turned into chaos by the PF government.
Mr. Hichilema said that Mr. Sata is now proving to citizens that he is a dictator in the manner he is deciding on national affairs without consultation from concerned stakeholders.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka this morning, Mr. Hichilema has warned that the democracy of the country is under threat if President Sata does not change his perceived dictatorship type of governance.
And the UPND leader has advised president Sata not to abuse the Zambia National Soccer team by asking them to sing the Donchi Kubeba song.
Mr. Hakainde says the national soccer team is a team for all Zambians regardless of political affiliation.
The opposition leader has however congratulated the team for reaching the finals of the ongoing African Cup of Nation’s tournament.
”]”During the late evening of Tuesday 27 April 1993 the Zambian Air Force Buffalo DHC-5D carrying most of the Zambian national football team to a FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Senegal in Dakar caught fire and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean about 500 metres offshore near Libreville, Gabon.
The plane had made a refuelling stop in Libreville en route to Dakar. All 30 passengers died, among them most of the finest generation of footballers Zambia had ever produced. Eventually 24 bodies were recovered, but only 13 could be identified.
A Gabonese official investigation into the accident concluded that the pilot had shut down the wrong engine after a fire. The investigation found that pilot fatigue and an instrument error had contributed to the accident.The Zambian government is yet to release a full report of the air crash to be unveiled to the public or family members.
Yesterday shortly after arriving in Libreville, where they take on Ivory Coast in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final, the Copper Bullets made their way to the spot where 500 metres offshore a Zambian Air Force flight ditched into the sea, wiping out the national squad.
Only former African Footballer of the Year Kalusha Bwalya avoided one of the great African football tragedies because he was based in the Netherlands with PSV Eindhoven and travelled directly to Dakar from Europe.
Now president of the Zambian Football Federation,Kalusha Bwalya was among the group paying an emotional homage to the dead on a cloudy late afternoon.
Against the gentle sound of the Atlantic waves lapping against the beach he said, with tears in his eyes: “It is no coincidence that we are here today, we have worked hard as a team.
“However I am convinced that our dearly departed brothers who lost their lives here 19 years ago have lent us a helping hand.
“In 1993 the Copper Bullets came here to fulfil a promise, they did not succeed, but instead gave up their lives for a gallant cause.
“Their dream to bring glory to our country, mother Zambia, is the same cause that brings us here today, the only difference is that we are alive and our former teammates are no longer here.
“It is for this reason that I say here today on behalf of all of us involved in Zambian football that their dreams are our dreams, they are smiling down on heaven as we take part in this tournament in Gabon.
“I pray that their souls may forever rest in peace and that God will give us the strength and the courage to fulfil our dreams…. and theirs.”
Bwalya, the players, and coach Herve Renard, had walked along the beach near the airport, singing a Zambian funeral hymn, before coming to a stop at the nearest point on land to the crash.
They then laid ‘flowers of the sea’, one for each person killed, at the water’s edge.
As the first flower was taken by a wave a thunder clap sounded overhead, and in the far horizon a ray of sunshine appeared in a break in the clouds.
Zambia captain Christopher Katongo then led the silent group of mourners in prayer.
A sign of how important this ceremony was to the 2012 squad was evidenced by the fact that not one player had the habitual set of headphones so beloved of football stars dangling around his ears, not one carried an ipod or iphone, each was simply intent on honouring the dead.
Also attending the ceremony was a local man who saw the plane crash, and helped recover parts of wreckage from the disaster.
Zambian Sports minister Chishimba Kambwili was also on hand to pay his respects.
He told the gathering: “Today brings memories, memories of 19 years ago when in the quest to bring glory to Zambia we lost gallant men and women, gallant men on that fateful day.
“Our coming to Gabon today I think by and large is by design. I think God made it this way so we can come and pay back by winning the Africa Cup to our fallen heroes.
“To you my fallen colleagues I want to say that you may be gone, but you will never be forgotten, you can see that you died here 19 years ago, but we’ve come here 19 years after to come and pay tribute and to say thank you for everthing that you did for mother Zambia.”
Before making their return to the team hotel to prepare for Sunday’s clash Bwalya, looking up to the stormy skies, said: “I’m sure the boys up there will be watching on Sunday.”
