Herve Renard has declared the door closed on the old guard hoping to jump onto Zambia’s current wave on the qualifying road to Angola and South Africa in 2010.
Renard said the time had come to hand a new generation of Zambian players their chance to stand up and be counted on the next step of the teams never-ending rebuilding process.
“To say that door is open, is easy to say that. I don’t think we will be strong with the past,” Renard said on Monday evening upon arrival at Lusaka International Airport from Cairo where Zambia drew 1-1 with Egypt in a Group C qualifying match.
“Don’t forget we have young and hungry players knocking at the door like Henry Banda waiting for a chance to be in the team.”
Renard said he would give priority to the players who won bronze at the just ended CHAN after his regular crew of foreign-based faithful’s.
He also singled out young teenage defender Emmanuel Mbola of Armenian club Pyunik Yerevan who had a good outing against Egypt as a future mainstay in left-back that, for the last four years, has been the sole preserve of Joseph Musonda from Lamontville Golden Arrows of South Africa.
The news almost certainly means Andrew Sinkala, Moses Sichone and Clive Hachilensa’s futures with Zambia are looking bleak.
In other news, Zesco United’s Caf Africa Chmapions League opponents Africa Sports are expected on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s 1st round, return leg game at the Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola.
However, reports from Abidjan are that Africa Sports Italian-born coach Antonio Nobile has quit bringing an end a successful two-year stay at the club in which he has witnessed league wins in 2008 and 2007.
Nobile said to have quit last week after two successive league defeats in as many games played in the new Cote d’Ivoire season and also cited professional reasons for leaving.
Africa Sports’ management however, is still hoping Nobile will have a change of heart and travel with the team to Zambia on Wednesday.
Zesco and Africa Sports are tied at 0-0 from the first leg played on March 15 in Abidjan.
Meanwhile, Red Arrows on Tuesday left for Nigeria to face Ocean Boys in the two sides Confederations Cup 1st round, return leg match this Saturday.
Arrows enjoy a 2-0 advantage from the first leg played at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on March 14.