2012 AFCON: And the Champions are………………

“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.” – Zambia coach Herve Renard

Renard also praised the courage of Kalusha Bwalya, an iconic figure in Zambian football who would have been on the 1993 flight – which was taking the Zambia squad to a World Cup qualifier in Senegal when it crashed shortly after take-off from Libreville airport, killing all 30 people on board – but had made his own way there.

“Kalusha was one of the best Zambian players of the last century,” Renard said.

“Then he was coach of the national team, now our [Football Association] president.

“He knows how terrible this crash was for the nation.

“I want to dedicate this title to him, he gave me my chance when nobody knew me.”

Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Bwalya, in turn, praised the French coach, and immediately looking ahead to the upcoming Nations Cup 2013 and World Cup 2014 qualifiers, said Renard “can stay as long as he wants”.

“I think that if he brings that discipline, that ambition that he has, as a coach, I think that he has made a statement for himself,” Bwalya told BBC Sport.

“We lacked efficiency, had our chances but failed to score. We are very disappointed with the result. I reckoned a tough game and we could have won in normal time. We had a problem during the penalties,” Cote d’ Ivoire Coach Francois Zahoui told a press conference after the match.

“It was game we could not afford to lose. We knew it was going to be difficult and really wanted to win. It was a difficult moment for my players. This generation are lionhearted and they wanted to win something for themselves.

“It is difficult to end this way after playing very well at the tournament; scoring nine goals and not conceding. We came here with a lot of ambition. The biggest lesson is that the players demonstrated maturity throughout the tournament.”

For Zahoui, his immediate target is to qualify for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted in South Africa and has promised to keep his team intact.

“We have a good team but have to accept the result and move on. We will do our best to qualify for CAN 2013.”

Posted from  United States

Since Zambia are 2012 CAN champions they will represent Africa at the 2O13 FIFA Confederation Cup. Zambia Zambia Zambia Zambia

Zambia has given both Malawi and Botswana food for thought.
1.Always believe in yourselves even when the odds are against you.
2.Play the game like its your last.Play with passion and show love and respect for the game.
3.In order to win players and coaches have to be on the same page.My point being they are Coaches and they are Coaches.Only certain Coaches can elevate their teams to a whole different level.Coaches should have tactical skills that can win games.Parking the bus is NOT one of them.
4.Coaches should select players based on skill and not names.eg.Kinnah has been selecting players that are busy warming up the bench in SA leagues in competitive matches.

Moses, the 2013 Confederation Cup will kick off in Brazil on 15 June 2013 and will conclude on 30 June 2013. If there was no AFCON 2013 then yes, Zambia would have represented Africa.

Currently, five teams have already qualified with an additional three teams yet to qualify:

•Brazil – Host Nation
•Spain – 2010 FIFA World Cup Champions
•Japan – Asian Champions
•Mexico – CONCACAF Gold Cup Winner
•Uruguay – South American Champions
•TBA Team #1 – 2012 UEFA Euro Cup Champions
•TBA Team #2 – Oceania Nations Cup Champions
•TBA Team #3 – 2013 AFCON Champions

By the way, don’t forget that Gabon, Morocco and Egypt qualified for Olympics London 2012 (25 July – 11 August). Senegal will play against a team from Asia in a play-off match to be played on 12 April 2012 in London, UK

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tk, if the 1-0 loss to Ghana didn’t motivate Botswana nothing will.

Zambia are champions because they were not just playing for the title. I don’t think they will be as motivated, determined…during AFCON 2013 as they were during AFCON GABON 2012.

“Coaches should have tactical skills that can win games. Parking the bus is NOT one of them.”

Desperate times call for desperate measures Should Malawi park the bus in Chad?

“Coaches should select players based on skill and not names.eg.Kinnah has been selecting players that are busy warming up the bench in SA leagues in competitive matches.”

I think he defended himself in the past. I don’t want to misquote him so I will try to find a link.

Posted from  United States

If Malawi parks the bus that is a recipe for disaster.We already saw that in the build up to the just ended AFCON.Malawi needs to play attacking football.If they score goals their. Chances would improve greatly. Somehow I feel like the players luck passion and purpose when playing. They seems in and out of their game.The Coach somehow needs to find a way to motivate his players.One aspect of the Zambia game I liked was that the players seem to have a great relationship with their coach.One wonders how he did it.Whatever he did its working for the team.I will now go on record to predict that Zambia will qualify for the world cup in Brazil.Check the stats for the teams that have won the AFCON cup.85% have gone on to qualify.

Dear Mr. Moses Sichone.Kindly check your facts before concluding that Zambia will take past in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup to be played in Brazil.All Zambia needs to do is to win the AFCON 2013 and take part in the same FIFA Tourney in Brazil.As for me, the plan is to strategiseb on how Zambia should qualify for the Brazil 2014 World Cup.Congrats ZAMBIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don’t understand why the Top Goal Scorer Award was given to Emmanuel Mayuka (Zambia). He scored three goals but so did Drogba, Chris Katongo and I think two more others.

@ Humphrey Galangi, Just like head to head is decided, when there is a tally like that, they will look at other factors to see where one outwitted the other. In the Mayuka case, maybe they looked at who scored the more spectacular goal amongst the three players. Just thinking.

tk, you will be told that the Flames play attacking football because they play 4-4-2. Just because a team doesn’t win or score doesn’t necessarily mean that the team doesn’t play attacking football.

Not all coaches are good motivators. History is abound with great leaders with exceptional motivating abilities. Alexander was one such great general who not only was an exceptional military strategist but also had the speaking powers to move an entire army across the whole of Europe to the edges of the known world.

Businesses around the world hire motivational speakers to motivate their workforce and instill the confidence that is so necessary to carry out their duties. And some sports teams do hire motivational speakers. A highly motivated individual can work wonders with limited resources under severe mental and physical pressures.

“One aspect of the Zambia game I liked was that the players seem to have a great relationship with their coach.”

Yes there is a great relationship. And after the final whistle, Herve Renard carried the injured Joseph Musonda to celebrate Zambia’s AFCON win

“One wonders how he did it”

Age makes a difference.

“I will now go on record to predict that Zambia will qualify for the world cup in Brazil.”

Not you again

Posted from  United States

“As for me, the plan is to strategise on how Zambia should qualify for the Brazil 2014 World Cup”

2014 World Cup Qualifiers (Round 2 – CAF):
Group D: Ghana, Zambia, Sudan, Lesotho (Winner 8 )

Will Zambia beat Ghana again? It’s gonna be a war.

“I don’t understand why the Top Goal Scorer Award was given to Emmanuel Mayuka (Zambia). He scored three goals but so did Drogba, Chris Katongo and I think two more others.”

Golden Boot: If there is more than one player with the same amount of goals, the award goes to the player who has contributed the most assists. If there is still more than one player, the award goes to the player who has played the least amount of time. I didn’t count the assists but I think Mayuka played the least amount of time. Emmanuel Mayuka, Christopher Katongo, Didier Drogba, Manucho, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Cheick Diabaté and Houssine Kharja scored 3 goals (each)

“In the Mayuka case, maybe they looked at who scored the more spectacular goal amongst the three players. Just thinking.”

Possibly. CAF, what did you look at?

Posted from  United States

Sscousser,

Create a like or dislike icon where we can give you an up or down vote on your rebuttals…..:-)

tk, never. I would get no love (like) from the Batswana.

Now check this out:

Zambia’s Nations Cup triumph ‘written in the sky’
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/piersedwards/2012/02/zambias_nations_cup_triumph_wr.html

Posted from  United States

The BBC’s team of reporters that followed all the action in the four host cities of Malabo, Bata, Libreville and Franceville throughout the competition, reflected on the highlights and memorable moments – on and off the field – from this year’s Nations Cup.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17015716

Now it’s your turn:

Player of the tournament:
Team of the tournament:
Best coach:
Best match:
Best goal:
Favourite moment of the tournament:
Rate the co-hosts:

Posted from  United States

“I will now go on record to predict that Zambia will qualify for the world cup in Brazil.”

That’s quite a daring prediction.

Now that Egypt and Zambia have silenced four consecutive times hollywoodian stars playing soccer in Europe all African players are more confident that being Drogba or Etoo’s means nothing to any fit, focused and determined player whether based in Africa or elsewhere. The competitions are going to be harder and harder for most nations and many so called giants will fall again.

About Mayuka receiving the award I would rather question why it wasn’t given to the captain Katongo who scored a similar number of goals (I am not sure but think he scored 3 too). If the number of scored goals is the same for me it is logical to give it to a player from the team that won the trophy.

cypres, did Senegal disappoint you or what? It seems your disappearance here coincided with Senegal’s exit.

“many so called giants will fall again”

Who are the giants now? No more “minnows” in Africa. Even Sao Tome e Prince booted out Lesotho (AFCON 2013 Qualifiers)

“About Mayuka receiving the award I would rather question why it wasn’t given to the captain Katongo who scored a similar number of goals”

Katongo received the Orange/CAF “Man of the Competition” award. During the 2011 CAF Awards, Botswana and Niger were nominees for the “Team of the Year” Award and the coaches of the two teams were nominees for the “Coach of the Year Award”. Botswana got the “Team of the Year” Award while the Niger Coach got the “Coach of the Year” Award. How come?

“If the number of scored goals is the same for me it is logical to give it to a player from the team that won the trophy”

And the “player of the tournament” award should always go to the player whose team wins the championship?

Posted from  United States

This is my first time here sscouser. Nice blog

Player of the tournament:Christopher Katongo
Team of the tournament: Zambia no doubt
Best coach: Herve Renard
Best match: Finals
Best goal: I can’t remember the name of the player. Guinea goal against Ghana
Favourite moment of the tournament: When Drogba missed the penalty
Rate the co-hosts: I expected Gabon to reach the quarter-finals but not Equatorial Guinea

Frank, welcome.

“I can’t remember the name of the player. Guinea goal against Ghana”

Abdoul Camara. A cross happened to be a great shot?

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AM LOOKING FOR THE FOLLOWING BOOKS…:

“Scoring Made Simple”….by Mayuka (Zambian writer)

“Spectacular Miss”…….by Gyan ( Ghanian writer)

“Spectacular Miss – Revised Version” ….by Drogba(Ivorian Writer)

“Dribbling for Today and Tomorrow” ……by Chisamba Lungu (Zambian writer)

“The Killer Pass” ….by Rainford Kalaba

“Winning in Fashion” …….by Herve Renard (Zambian writer)

“Essentials of Bitterness”….by Hakainde Hichilema (Zambian writer)

“Ungifted Legs”……….by Demba Ba (Senegalese Writer)

“Gifted Hands”………..by Kennedy Mweene ( Zambian writer)

“Why I’m Stupid”……..by Emmanuel Amokachi (Nigerian writer)

“Unbeatable at afcon 2012”………by herve renard

“How not to sound stupid-an analyst’s tale”……..by Mamadou Gaye (Ivorian writer)

“Making former presidents look important”:……by HE MCS

“How to Shame the Devil”………… by Kalusha Bwalya

“How to Win AFCO with 10 miilion Kwacha Salary” …… by Harvey Renard

“Diving made simple”…by Drogba (Ivorian writer)

Kwaza, the book “Why I’m stupid” by Amokachi, what is it about? I have read the one by Mamadou Gaye: “How not to sound stupid-an analyst’s tale”

CHAPTER 14:

MAMADOU Gaye Predicts A 4-0 Victory For Ivory Coast Over ZAMBIA

Cote d’Ivoire football analyst Mamadou Gaye has predicted a 4-0 victory for his country over Zambia ahead of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday.

Nicknamed the ‘Assassin of Abidjan’ for his over-the-top comments, Gaye claims on Supersport.com that the “elephant is too big to fry”.

“No David and Goliath. The best team of the tournament called Elephants will win… The Elephants are going to make history by being the first country to win the Afcon without conceding a goal,” Gaye insists.

“For me the most difficult game [for] the Elephants was against Mali. It was very physical and it was a West African derby. Zambia play the type of football that suit Cote d’Ivoire. Easy win for the Elephants,” Gaye confidently predicts.

During the chat, Gaye was quizzed over whether he is a soccer expert or soccer critic.

He responded: “I have a World Cup silver medal won during the Under-20 in Nigeria 1999 with the Japanese team as member of the technical staff. I was also the liaison officer of Bafana Bafana in Burkina Faso 1998, when we won silver.”

Gaye also apparently had a hand in Pirates’ victory over Asec Mimosa in the final of the African Champions League in 1995.

By the way, that was not the only prediction. Here’s another one: “Under Pitso [South Africa National Team Coach] Bafana will be kicked out in the first round come AFCON 2013. South Africa have local coaches with great pedigree: Gavin,Gordon etc…”

And when asked “how well do you think the Elephants [Cote d' Ivoire] would have played if Nigeria, Egypt and Cameroon were present at the 2012 AFCON Tournament?” here is how he replied: “Nigeria, Egypt and Cameroon were beaten and could not qualify. Let’s not talk about them. They may not even qualify again for AFCON 2013”

‘Assassin of Abidjan’ indeed.

Kajila wrote: Hi there,

I ve read your reactions to the questions posted so far.

I must state that I ve not observed any analysis but probably fanaticism. An analyst should break the match to pieces e.g tactics, weaknesses and strengths of each team and ultimately a conclusion.WHICH YOU VE NOT DONE. PLEASE GIVE US THE SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS NOT YOUR OPINION.

‘Assassin of Abidjan’ replied: Cote D’Ivoire 5 games 5 wins, no goal conceded.

Posted from  United States

breakings news drogba is quenching his thirst using a plate cause the cup has been taking by the copper bullets.abash BBC for your fake preditions.

Zambia hopeful on Renard extension (AFP)

Frenchman Herve Renard is set to extend his contract with Zambia by two years, just days after guiding the country to its first CAF Africa Cup of Nations title.

Renard, whose contract was due to expire this year, will remain as Zambia coach until after the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, according to Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili.

The extension will be sealed “very soon and we will ensure that we give him a lucrative deal so that he is not swayed by other countries that are after him“, Kambwili told national radio.

Renard on Thursday told Radio France International (RFI) that he had received job offers from Senegal, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia among others.

The Frenchman was first hired as coach of the Chipolopolo (Copper Bullets) in 2008, taking them to the 2010 Cup of Nations quarter-finals in Angola, where they lost to Nigeria after a penalty shoot-out.

He left the job after the tournament and was later re-hired in 2011 and this month led Zambia to their first ever African Cup of Nations crown.

Posted from  United States

Mayuka was given the golden boot as all his goals were through normal play,unlike the others who had to score a penalty to reach 3.

“unlike the others who had to score a penalty to reach 3.”

Manucho
Didier Drogba
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Cheick Diabaté
Houssine Kharja
Christopher Katongo

Each one of them?

Posted from  United States

congrats zambia nwe you wold win on da 1 place mwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa