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MMD National Secretary directs party to commence branch elections

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MMD National Secretary Katele Kalumba has directed the party to commence  party elections with branch Executive Committees .

Dr. Katele’s directive follows instructions he received from Party President Dr. Levy Mwanawasa to begin the process of leadership renewal through internal
democratic process.

He said in a statement to ZANIS  in Lusaka today that he has written to the Chairman
of Elections Mr. Mike Mulongoti who is also Information and Broadcasting Minister to
prepare clear guidelines for the conduct of elections at branch levels which will be
proceeded by constituency and district levels to be held next year.

The party National Secretary  has since lifted all suspensions and has further
directed provincial chairmen to communicate to all lower organs.

He said in an event that specific suspensions already in effect have not been fully
served, that a special case shall be made to his office through appropriate
channels.

Dr. Kalumba said a final decision shall be communicated to the affected organs after
study and consultations on each individual case.

‘In considering which case must be exceptional, executive committee must take into
account that the objective of this blanket lifting of suspension is to facilitate
competitive democracy with in our party,’ he said.

He said any indication that an appeal against lifting a suspension has the effect of
reducing competition for office will result in rejecting such an appeal.

Phiri, Simukonda to lead Zambia to Ghana finals

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Patrick Phiri and Figthton Simukonda will lead Zambia to the Africa Cup finals in Ghana.

Minister of sports Gabriel Namulambe disclosed this morning at a press briefing that Phiri and his assistant Simukonda contracts extended by 3 months.

Phiri and Simukonda’s contracts are due to end in December and have now been extended to the end of March 2008.

The announcement ends months of speculation over Phiri’s future at the helm.

This is after riding the pressure to oversee Zambia’s dramatic qualification to the Africa Cup with a 3-1 win over South Africa in their crucial final group B match in Cape Town on September 9.

Phiri’ s trip to Ghana will mark an emotional return to the land where he made his Africa Cup debut as a player in 1978.

Phiri will also be at the helm of his first Africa Cup-bound team after failing to guide Zambia to qualify for the 2004 event in Tunisia.

Meanwhile, Zambia leave for Bloemfontein on Monday at 07:30 hrs ahead of their Wednesday Cosafa Castle Cup final match against South Africa.

Zambia are the Cosafa Castle Cup defending champions of the tournament after beating Angola 2-0 to join the latter as the tournaments three-time champions.

Goalkeepers: Kennedy Mweene (Free State Stars, south Africa), Mike Poto (Green Buffaloes).

Defenders: William Chinyama (Zesco United),Kampamba Chintu (Free State Stars, South Africa), Clive Hachilensa (Mariehamn,Finland), Billy Mwanza, Joseph Musonda (Both Lomtville Golden Arrows), Kennedy Nkethani (Zanaco), Joseph Zimba (Red Arrows).

Midfielders: Ian Bakala (Primeiro de Agosto, Angola), Felix Katongo (Petro Atletico, Angola), Allan Mukuka (Mufulira Wanderers), Francis Kasonde, Kennedy Mudenda (Both Power Dynamos), Kruger Mwansa (Red Arrows), Sebastein Mwansa (Green Buffaloes), Stophira Nsunzu (Konkola Blades), William Njovu (Lusaka Dynamos).

Forwards: Noah Chivuta (Wits University, South Africa), Elson Mukandawire (Power Dynamos), Emmanuel Mayuka (Kabwe Warriors).

BP TOP 8 SEMIFINAL

20/10/2007

Nkoloma Stadium, Lusaka

Kabwe Warriors-Zanaco

Nchanga Stadium, Chingola

Konkola Blades-Nakambala Leopards

Nkana, Chambishi promoted to Faz Premier League

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Nkana are back in the Faz Premier League three seasons after their demotion when today they beat visiting Lime Hotspurs 2-0 at home at their adopted home ground of Kafubu Stadium in Lunashya.

Joining the record 11-time Zambia league champions back in the top-flight are Chambishi who avenged their 2-1 away defeat from Week 13 on May 19 to crush Mufulira Blackpool 5-0 this afternoon.

Division 1 north leaders Nkana and 2nd placed Chambishi are promoted after amassing an unassailable number of points on 62 and 61 points respectively with two games in hand before they complete their league season.

Nkana secured their return to the Faz Premier League thanks to goals from winger William Chinse and playmaker Mwila Kabwe who joined the team this season from Kitwe United and Afrisports.

Chambishi on the other hand swept aside Blackpool who troubled their hosts in the first half before Vancious Mapande scored a brace while Francis Chileshe, Claude Bwalya and Sanida Zulu got a goal each to complete a good 2007 season for Aggrey Chiyangi’s team.

Chambishi were relegated last year after four seasons in the top-flight and together with Nkana are the first teams to be promoted from division one.

Green Eagles, Nkwazi and Riflemen are all locked in a tight race for promotion in Division 1 south league.

And in Faz Premier League Week 28 action today, Green Buffaloes ousted Kabwe Warriors from second place after beating their visitors 1-0 at Edwin Imboela Stadium in Lusaka.

Brian Chilando scored the games lone goal to see Buffaloes go two points clear of Warriors on 52 points and exchange places in the process.

Power Dynamos stayed 4th rising to 45 points after a 1-0 home win over 6th placed Lusaka Dynamos courtesy of a 46th minute goal from Francis Kombe.

Konkola Blades stayed 8th and City 9th after they scoreless draw at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka this afternoon.

2007 league champions Zesco United lost only for the fourth time this season when they went down 2-1 away to relegated Forest Rangers in a Ndola derby played at Dola Hill.

Rainford Kalaba scored his 20th competitive goal of the season via a penalty in the 12th minute.

However, Forest made sure they had the last laugh over the newly crowned league champions with goals from Sydney Mwelwa and Zambia Under-23 striker Christopher Musonda.

And here are the 2007 Mosi Cup 7th round draws.

MOSI CUP 7TH ROUND DRAWS

24/10/2007

Premium Sport vs Konkola Blades

Kasanda Police vs Lusaka Dynamos

Tazara Express vs Zanaco

Chambishi vs Power Dynamos

Nkana vs Nchanga Rangers

INDENI vs City of Lusaka

Prison Leopards vs Zamtel

Green Eagles vs Forest Rangers

Lusaka City Council vs Roan United

Nampundwe vs National Assembly

Riflemen vs Young Arrows

Zamcoal Diggers vs Zesco United

Lime Hotspurs Kabwe Warriors

Kalomo Jetters vs Nakambala Leopards

Lusaka Celtic vs Green Buffaloes

Lusaka Tigers vs Red Arrows

Zambia in camp for Cosafa Castle Cup final

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The Zambia national football team goes into camp Wednesday night in Lusaka to begin preparations for next their October 24, Cosafa Castle Cup final match against South Africa to be played in Bloemfontein.

Zambia will be camped in Lusaka until departure for South Africa on Monday ahead of their game on Independence Day.
The occasion will also mark head coach Patrick Phiri’s return to the bench after a five week absence after leading Zambia to a dramatic 3-1 win over South Africa in Cape Town.

Meanwhile, the Zambia Under-23 national team arrived back home on Tuesday evening from Senegal where they lost 2-1 to their hosts in an Olympic football tournament qualifier.

Coach Peter Kaumba said today that he was confident his team would make a dramatic comeback to reclaim leadership0 of Group B when they travel to new leaders Ivory Coast on November 18.

Ivory Coast who lead on 9 points from four games played need a win on that date to qualify for the Beijing finals with a game in hand.

Zambia are on 7 points from four games after losing to 3rd placed Senegal on 5 points last Saturday.

Zambia team

Goalkeepers: Kennedy Mweene (Free State Stars, south Africa), Mike Poto (Green Buffaloes).

Defenders: Kampamba Chintu (Free State Stars, South Africa), Clive Hachilensa (Mariehamn,Finland), Billy Mwanza, Joseph Musonda (Both Lomtville Golden Arrows), Kennedy Nkethani (Zanaco), Joseph Zimba (Red Arrows).

Midfielders: Ian Bakala (Primeiro de Agosto, Angola), Felix Katongo (Petro Atletico, Angola), Francis Kasonde, Kennedy Mudenda (Both Power Dynamos), Kruger Mwansa (Red Arrows), Stophira Nsunzu (Konkola Blades), William Njovu (Lusaka Dynamos).

Forwards: Noah Chivuta (Wits University, South Africa), Elson Mukandawire (Power Dynamos), Emmanuel Mayuka (Kabwe Warriors).

Provision for NCC dissolution necessary – Mpombo

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Government says a provision for the dissolution of the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) is a necessary sanction to ensure that delegates do their work within the confines of law.

Acting Chief Government spokesperson George Mpombo said it was proper that there is
a provision for dissolution of the NCC should its work degenerate into breach of
law.

Mr. Mpombo said the provision for the Republican President to dissolve an unruly NCC
is a necessary sanction to ensure that delegates conduct themselves property.

He said the provision is a security safeguard that would be used only when it
becomes absolutely necessary and unless the NCC chair is seen to be party to the
breach of the order.

He said it is at this stage that government would consult the chair and the
secretary before dissolution of the conference.

Mr. Mpombo said President Levy Mwanawasa meant acts likely to impede implementation
of the Act and governance that would constitute an offense.

” Those who express their right in a lawful manner need not fear because the
president has no intention of arresting nor threatening law abiding citizens for
stating their fears, concerns or wishes,” he said.

Mr. Mpombo told ZANIS in a press statement that government is concerned about
misinformation and ignorance being banded and exhibited by some political parties
and civil societies on the provisions of the NCC.

Mr. Mpombo, who is also Defence Minister, said people claiming that the NCC does not
provide a new constitution to replace the current one have not read the act.

He stated that Section 13 of the Act provided for the conference to consider and
deliberate the provisions of the report of the constitution and the draft
constitution.

The minister added that the Act provided that the entire draft shall be submitted to
a referendum if a decision to do so is made by the members.

He said it is surprising that the Patriotic Front (PF) party is calling for
proportional representation that equates political parties with church mother
bodies.

“The church mother bodies have been included on the NCC for the wisdom that the
participants can draw from them as non partisan people and not to represent their
church members,” he said.

He said a church mother body cannot claim mandate to speak for its flock on
contentious issues such as content of the constitution because its members belong to
different political parties that may represent them.

Unless it was the intention of the PF to leave out the church mother bodies that
were established less than ten years ago, Mr. Mpombo said there is no justification
to demand that only church bodies that had existed for ten years ago should qualify
 to send representatives.

Mr. Mpombo added that it is an insult on the intelligence of church leaders to
suggest that a church mother body that was established less than ten years ago will
be an appendage of the government.

He has since advised PF party to read National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders
104 if it want certain parts of the NCC Act amended.

Corruption reduces in land ministry – Machila

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Lands Minister, Bradford Machila, has disclosed that incidences of corruption in his ministry have reduced due to intervention measures put in place to curb the vice.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Kasama, Mr. Machila, however, said more work
needed to be done to completely root out the corrupt elements in his ministry.

Mr. Machila said he has managed to instill more discipline among workers in his
ministry resulting in the drop of corruption cases.

He warned that any officer found practising corruption would not be spared but dealt
with severely.

Mr. Machila noted that in the past, some ghost names of people were issued with
title deeds for land but that corrective measures have since been taken to redress
the situation.

The minister said he is determined to fight corruption head with the help of law
enforcement agencies to ensure that his ministry was corrupt-free.

He has since urged members of public to continue reporting corrupt activities in his
ministry so that the law could take its course against the culprits.

Meanwhile, Mr. Machila has advised councils countrywide to deal with all forms of
illegal land allocation in order to bring sanity to land management.

The minister said he was aware of rampant illegal land allocation in the country but
warned people involved in the vice that they would be prosecuted for their
irresponsible actions.

Mr. Machila further urged the local authorities to sensitize the public on the need
for them to develop their land as failure to do so would result in Government
repossessing their property.

Kobil stakes over K100m for L/stone Station facelift

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KOBIL Zambia Limited has staked over K100 million to rehabilitate its Livingstone Service Station.

Kobil Site Engineer Brian Chilanzi said the company has engaged an Italian Company,
Prefabricated Contractors to work on the station.

He said some of the major works to be done included rehabilitating about 2
kilometres of the road at and around Kobil Service Station.

Mr Chilanzi said the works which started last month are expected to be completed by
mid next month.

He said the works once completed would enhance the outlook of the company adding
that it was important to maintain high standards in order to maintain customers.

Mr Chilanzi said his company engages in routine maintainance works of its service
stations countrywide every year.

Samfya High School pupils boycott food

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Pupils at Samfya high school in Luapula Province yesterday staged a food boycott to protest over unhygienic conditions in the school kitchen and dinning hall.

The pupils refused to eat their meals demanding that school management improves on
hygiene in the preparation of their food as well as in the dinning hall.

And school authorities last evening called in police in riot gear to be on keep
vigil at the institution to quell possible riotous behaviour.

Samfya District Commissioner Sylvester Chimfwembe confirmed the food boycott and
deployment of police at the school last evening.

However, Mr Chimfwembe said school management has promised to address the pupils’
grievance and the situation at the school was back to normal this morning.

He said police would still continue to monitor the situation.

Zambian GDP growth to exceed 7%-Mutati

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Zambia has raised its 2007 economic growth forecast to seven percent or more from an initial six percent projection due to new investments in mining, agriculture, tourism and other sectors, a minister said on Tuesday.

Commerce and Trade Minister Felix Mutati said in an interview Zambia had in the nine months to September recorded about $1 billion in fresh foreign direct investment (FDI) into projects in the country’s copper and cobalt mines, agriculture, tourism and manufacturing sectors.

Mutati said other projects that would push gross domestic product to 7.0 percent or more were the construction of four new big hotels in Lusaka and the tourist resort city of Livingstone and a major housing project partly financed by the U.S government in the capital city.

“The level of investment has been tremendous and more than what we thought it would be. In this regard, we are going to hit 7.0 percent or even more in GDP (gross domestic product) growth this year,” Mutati told Reuters.

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Division 1 Preview and Relegation round-up

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Chambishi and Nkana are both just one victory away from promotion to the Faz Premier League when they take to the pitch on Wednesday in their delayed Division 1 north week 28 games.

Top placed Nkana and second positioned Chambishi have been hand the opportunity to book their promotion with two games to spare.

This is after 3rd placed Prison Leopards lost 2-1 away to relegation threatened Konkola Mine Police in their Week 28 match played on Sunday.

Nkana lead on 59 points from 27 games played while Chambishi are a point behind and Prisons stuck on 54 points and can only amass 60 points in their remaining two matches.

Victory for Chambishi in midweek at home against Mufulira Blackpool would see Aggrey Chiyangi’s team make a quick return to the top-flight following their relegation last season.

Nkana on the other hand host Lime Hotspurs will be hoping to complete their first return to the Faz Premier League since they were demoted from the elite league in 2004.

And the race for promotion in Division 1 south is set to go to the wire with the only three challengers in the race for promotion from the zone separated by just two points going into Wednesday delayed Week 28 games.

Green Eagles lead on 58 points, while Riflemen and Nkwazi are locked on 56 perched in 2nd and 3rd place respectively.

Eagles await Livingstone Pirates, Nkwazi are away to Profund Warriors while Riflemen are at Chilanga Heroes.

Meanwhile, the four relegation teams from Faz Premier League are confirmed after Red Arrows made sure of their survival with a 5-0 win over bottom placed Nakambala Leopards who first to be relegated a week ago.

12th placed Arrows win saw them shift to 32 points while 13th positioned Zamtel on 26 points from 28 games cannot usurp them due to a vastly inferior goal difference.

The full list of teams that have been relegated are Zamtel, Forest Rangers, Nakambala (After two seasons in the top-flight) and National Assembly who ended a four year stay in the highlife.

Weekend Scorecard

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FAZ PREMIER LEAGUE WEEK 28

13/10/2007

Nchanga Rangers 2(Ephriam Banda 15″, Mubita Mwilima 42″*)-National Assembly 1(Mavinda Lungu 75″)

*Other sources credit Chijuka Nyirenda win goal.

Zanaco 3(Winston Kalengo 6″ 44″, Jack Chileshe 67″)-Young Arrows 2(Shaft Katuka 10″, David Phiri 47″)

Red Arrows 5(Stanley Banda 15″ 82″, Lawrence Pondani 13″ 54″, Lawrence Lubinda 64″)-Nakambala Leopards 0

Zamtel 2(Kameta Mutambo 38″, Frazer Mwewa 57″)-Roan United 1(Perry Sinkala 67″)

17/10/2007

Forest Rangers – Zesco United
Green Buffaloes – Kabwe Warriors
Power Dynamos – Lusaka Dynamos
City of Lusaka – Konkola Blades

TOP SCORERS (14/10/07).

Rainford Kalaba (Zesco United): 19.
Enoch Sakala (Zesco United) 19.

Lottie Phiri (Young Arrows): 12.

Winstone Kalengo (Zanaco): 11.
Mumamba Numba (Zanaco): 11.
Emmanuel Mayuka (Kabwe Warriors): 11.

Lyson Sikaonga (Nchanga Rangers): 10.
Nicholas Zulu (Zesco United): 10.
Felix Nsunzu Jr (Konkola Blades):10.

Josphet Nkhoma (Lusaka Dynamos): 8.
Siloni Jere (Kabwe Warriors): 8.
Elson Mukandawire (Power Dynamos) 8.
Noel Mwandila (Green Bufffaloes): 8

Yonah Mwango (Zesco United): 7.
Kruger Mwansa (Young Arrows): 7
Ben Mwanza (Roan United): 7
Sebastian Mwansa (Green Buffaloes): 7
Simon Luipya (Red Arrows):7.
Mazuba Mukandawire (City of Lusaka): 7.

Musonda Mweuke (Kabwe Warriors): 6.
Francis Kombe (Power Dynamos): 6.
Ezekiel Lungu (Green Buffaloes) : 6
Simon Bwalya (Power Dynamos):6.

Ken Mwaba (Nakambala Leopards):5.
Christopher Musonda (Forest Rangers): 5.
Kelvin Kaindu (Zanaco): 5.
Dan Masumba (Nakambala Leopards): 5.
Moses Phiri (Konkola Blades) 5
Lopser Muma (Roan United): 5.
Maonga Kabuku (Kabwe Warriors): 5.

OLYMPIC GAMES FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT QUALIFIERS

GROUP B

13/10/2007

Dakar
Senegal 2(Mamor Ndiaye 23″, Sabou Diompy 33″)- Zambia 1(Felix Nsunzu 30″)

Bamako

Mali 1(Amadou Sidibé 36″)- Cote d’Ivoire 2(Djakpa Constant 55″, Gervinho 90″)

2007 BARCLAYS CUP QUARTERFINALS

13/10/2007

Woodlands Stadium, Lusaka

Zesco United 1(Jonah Sakuwaha 87″)- Lusaka Dynamos 0

Green Buffaloes 2(Maybin Ngosa 52″, Newa Mwewa 75″)- Green Eagles 0

Nchanga Staduim, Chingola

Konkola Blades 1(Chipulu Chileya 54″)- Nkana 0

Chambishi 2(John Musukwa 45″, Francis Chileshe 90″)- Riflemen 1(Mike Kamwimba 7″)

SEMFINALS

03/11/2007

Nchanga Stadium, Chingola

Zesco United-Green Buffaloes

Chambishi- Konkola Blades

FAZ DIVISION 1.

NORTH

14/10/2007

Konkola Mine Police 2- Prison Leopards 1

INDENI 0- Kitwe United 0

Ndola United 0- Police Blue Eagles 0

Mufulira Wanderers 0- Muchindu 0

Chindwin 0 – Kalewa 0

17/10/2007

Nkana -Lime Hotspurs

Chambishi – Mufulira Blackpool

SOUTH

14//10/2007

Lusaka City Council 0- Lusaka Celtic 2

Builders Brigade 1- Lusaka Tigers 0

Kambuku Warriors 0- Nampundwe 2

Communite 1- Kalomo Jetters 1

Young Buffaloes 1- Zamcoal Diggers 2

17/10/2007

Green Eagles – Livingstone Pirates

Chilanga Heroes- Riflemen

Profund Warriors – Nkwazi

Indeni oil refinery resumes production

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Indeni Oil Refinery has resumed production, managing director Gerald Gueglio said on Monday, after a prolonged shutdown which sparked fuel shortages as suppliers gave copper mines priority.

Last week Zambia started rationing fuel following a shortage caused by the closure of the sole oil refinery.

Indeni was shut on Sept. 1 but re-started preliminary production on Sunday with normal operations due to be resumed on Monday, officials said, following the pumping of crude oil from Dar-Es-Salaam by another state-owned firm, Tazama Pipeline.

“We have started pumping crude oil and even the refinery has started (preliminary) production. We pump an average of 2,000 tonnes of crude oil to Indeni per day,” Tazama’s managing director Largeman Muzelenga told Reuters. Tazama is set to supply Indeni with 60,000 tonnes of crude.

Ministry of Energy Permanent Secretary Buleti Nsemukila said last week that Tazama could not begin to pump the 60,000 tonnes crude oil imports following a misunderstanding with a banker over a $42 million letter of credit, but the issue had been resolved.

A senior ministry of energy official said on Monday that Zambia was still importing refined fuel from South Africa, Mozambique and Tanzania to cushion the shortages following the closure of Indeni.

“The imports of fuel will continue until Indeni stabilizes its operations,” the official said.

Nsemukila said last week that the fuel shortage had not affected the copper and cobalt mines, Zambia’s main economic lifeblood, because oil marketing firms were giving mines preference for fuel deliveries.

Last week, a few service stations in the capital Lusaka were offering only 10 litres of fuel worth about $18 per vehicle while others completely ran out of petrol as motorists parked their cars and opted to go to work by public transport.

Nsemukila said the shortage had partly been caused by deliveries of fuel to the copper mines.

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Levy recognises new Chieftainess Mwenda

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President Mwanawasa has recognised, Elly Mwiinga Kalichi, as Chieftainess Mwenda of the Tonga people of Mapangazya area in Mazabuka.

This is according to a Statutory Instrument number 101 of 2006 made available to
ZANIS in Mazabuka by Town clerk, Ekan Chingangu.

The recognition order states in part, that President Mwanawasa was satisfied that
Mrs Kalichi is entitled to hold the office as required by subsection (2) of section
three of the chiefs act.

Meanwhile, Chieftainess Mwenda has thanked President Mwanawasa for recognising her
as new Chief Mwenda.

Ugandan community happy with existing ties with Zambia

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The Ugandan community in Zambia is happy with the warm relations existing between Zambia and Uganda.

Speaking during celebrations to mark the 45th, Independence Anniversary at the
Barclays Sports Complex yesterday, newly elected Chairman for the Ugandan Community
in Zambia, Fred Kagimu, said Zambia has been an all weather friend of Uganda.

“I would like on behalf of the Ugandans in Zambia, to commend the Zambian Government
and its people for the warm and cordial relations that have existed between the two
countries from pre-independence days”, Mr. Kagimu said.

“For most Ugandans living in Zambia, this has become like a second home to us, as we
have over the years studied, and in some cases even intermarried with the Zambians”,
he noted.

And speaking at the same occasion Managing Director of Madison Insurance, Rhoydie
Chisanga said Zambia appreciates common areas of cooperation that have existed
between the two countries since time immemorial.

Mr. Chisanga said Zambia stands ready to learn from success achieved by Uganda in
developing that country’s agriculture sector.

“Uganda has a rich and vibrant agricultural industry especially for cotton and
coffee, which is largely exported to both the European and Asian markets”, Mr.
Chisanga said.

And in a vote of thanks, a Legal Expert at the Common Market for Eastern and
Southern Africa, COMESA, Secretariat Stephen Karangizi said Zambia and Uganda have
many similarities and as such the need for stronger relations.

“Both Countries are land locked, are facing similar challenges, both were colonized
by the British, and the Universities of both countries has had students from Zambia
and Uganda study and emerge in various disciplines, this goes to show the strong
bond between the two countries”, he observed.

The Celebrations to mark the Uganda’s 45th independence anniversary whose theme was
dubbed “Living in Harmony Outside Uganda”,  attracted the attendance of Zambians,
Ugandans and many other nationalities.

Ugandan, which gained her independence on 9th October, 1962, had gone through
political instability in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s that led to a mass exodus
of its people, some of whom have lived and settled in Zambia.

Zambia Under-23’s Olympic dreams look bleak

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Zambia Under-23’s qualification to the Beijing Olympic Games football tournament suffered a major upset when they lost 2-1 away to Senegal on Saturday in their fourth Group B game played in Dakar.

Peter Kaumba’s teams defeat means they surrender their five-month-old dominance of Group B since the pool stage qualifiers began on June 3.

This is after Cote d’Ivoire beat Mali 2-1 in Bamako yesterday in their Group B match.

Cote d’Ivoire ‘s win means they usurp Zambia at the top of Group B to move from 6 to 9 points, exchanging places with the latter who stay put on 7 points while Senegal remain 3rd but move to 5 points after their home win.

Zambia’s defeat was their first in the Olympic qualifiers but signs of the team losing steam in the race to China were evident in their last Group B match against Senegal last month in Lusaka when they stuttered and came from behind to draw 1-1.

Kaumba’s team will now have to beat the Ivorian’s in the two sides penultimate Group B tie during the weekend of November 17-18 in Abidjan to keep their now slim hopes of making it to the Beijing finals alive.

Another win for Cote d’Ivoire in that match against Zambia will see them book their place to the Olympic Games with a match in hand with a potential unassailable 12 points going into their final Group B games on March 26 next year.

In their final Group B matches next March, Zambia will host bottom of the table Mali while Cote d’Ivoire travel to Dakar.

Meanwhile, the Zambia Under-23 is due back home this Wednesday, October 17.

Zambia have not qualified to the Olympic Games football tournament since the 1988 event hosted in Seoul, South Korea.

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