African Football

[censorthiis]

Double disaster taints image of African football

JOHANNESBURG, June 5 (Reuters) - Two football related disasters in Africa at the weekend have set back efforts to project a positive image of the 2010 World Cup finals.

Twelve people died in a stampede at the end of an African Nations Cup qualifier in Zambia on Saturday, followed 24 hours later by the death of 23 supporters, including Togo's sports minister, in a helicopter crash in Sierra Leone.

The disaster in Zambia was the second such incident in a decade in a country that is being earmarked to host peripheral activities before and during the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

Three children were among the dead after spectators stampeded through a narrow exit at the Konkola stadium in Chililabombwe, where Zambia had beaten Congo, in order to get to free buses. More than 40 were also injured.

In Freetown, Togo sports minister Tata Avlessi Adaglo and 21 supporters died when the helicopter ferrying them on a seven minute flight from the Sierra Leone capital to the airport crashed.

Togo had beaten Sierra Leone 1-0 in their Nations Cup qualifier.

The two disasters follow closely on a bid by FIFA and the South African organisers to lay to rest doubts over the country's ability to host the finals, the first major sporting event of its kind on the African continent.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter last week used the FIFA Congress in Zurich to show support for South Africa saying: 'The World Cup is staying in Africa, there is absolutely no problem about this.

'It is staying in South Africa. Plan A is South Africa, Plan B is South Africa, Plan C is South Africa and Plan D is South Africa.'

South Africa 2010 Local Organising Committee chief executive officer Danny Jordaan said the country had to accept that Africa's colonial legacy was always going to leave its ability open to question.

'Africa has never had a chance before to show what it can do and as a result there will always be doubters who expect us to fail. There is nothing we can do to change their minds until they see a well organised event in 2010.

'In the mean time we have to learn to live with the constant speculation about our ability,' he told Reuters.

Jordaan has been pushing FIFA in recent months to allow more World Cup activities to take place in other countries in the southern African region, including Zambia.

FIFA has already hinted they would accept a change of rules that would allow teams to stay in neighbouring countries before matches at the World Cup finals.

Southern African countries are also expected to host a raft of pre-tournament friendlies in May 2009.

But Zambia's participation will now be in doubt.

The main stadium in the capital Lusaka has been closed because of its dilapidated state. Future use of the alternative venue in Chililabombwe, on the country's Copperbelt close to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, is now expected to come under close scrutiny

In recent weeks, FIFA officials have been travelling throughout Africa inspecting stadiums before the start of qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup finals.

FIFA last year warned that venues that were not safe enough would be prohibited from hosting World Cup qualifiers.

Source.

Uh oh. =/

[GreatKalu]

Yeah tell me about it

The last time there was a stampede, bees where the cause in National Stadium ... apparently, there was a hive so huge, the match had to be stopped + some player was a hero in the papers for saving a child being stepped on

We are supposed to have a stadia-program which was supposed to be well underway by now, but from what I've heard, not yet been initiated + just talk: renovating the National Stadium (Independence Stadium) in Lusaka + two more other 'modern' (I'll be the judge of that when I see them) stadiums in two other cities. The Konkola Stadium was a temporary host + is owned by Konkola Blades - A team run by one of the Copper Mines that was recently privatized.

Something I didn't understand because there are three other stadiums in the capital (habitual runaway league leaders + winners Zanaco's for example - sponsored by a National owned Bank) which would have been more central + I IMO were secure enough. I was under the opinion that the Konkola Stadium was more secure + probably just edged Zanaco's stadium in capacity ... but after this?

Fuck ... FAZ has been shit ever since the resurgence from the plane crash. Filled with incapable corrupt pieces of shit who have no serious intent in developing the game - a game which Zambia has a huge tradition in. Fucking ******s! We can say goodbye to a lot of income that the World Cup would have generated at this rate Seriously, sometimes I think I would do a better job running the country

[GreatKalu]

Minister asks for patience over stampede deaths

GOVERNMENT has advised the public to await a commission of inquiry report on the death of the 12 soccer fans instead of speculating on the cause.

The 12 soccer fans died during a stampede at the Konkola Stadium on Saturday after an international match between Congo-Brazzavile and Zambia, which ended 0-3.

Minister of Sports, Youth and Child Development Gabriel Namulambe said that the public should wait for the report because at the moment no one knew what caused the stampede.

Mr Namulambe was speaking to journalists yesterday after he visited the funeral house of a deceased soccer fan in Kitwe's Kwacha East township.

"No one can claim to know what caused the death of the soccer fans. Let us wait for the report. I hope they will be able to finish the investigations by Friday," Mr Namulambe said.

Government has set up a commission of inquiry to investigate the death of the 12 soccer fans.

He also said Government had managed to acquire the coffins for the deceased and would meet logistical needs during the funerals.

"The committee will gather facts and ensure steps are taken to avoid such accidents in future," Mr Namulambe said.

Copperbelt Minister, Mwansa Mbulakulima, Sports permanent secretary, Bob Samakai, Football Association of Zambia vice president Kalusha Bwalya, Kitwe District Commissioner Macdonald Mtine accompanied Mr Namulambe when he visited the funeral house yesterday.

Meanwhile, United Party for National Development (UPND) has joined the nation in mourning the 12 soccer fans.

UPND president, Hakainde Hichilema, said in a statement released by his spokesperson, Douglas Syakalima, that the incident had exposed poor management of soccer in Zambia.

" We would like to call on government, through the Ministry of Sport, to put in place measures that will guarantee safety of both players and soccer fans during such important matches," Mr Hichilema said.

And Basic Education Teachers Union of Zambia (BETUZ) said the incident was regrettable and a big loss as the nation lost committed patriots who gave massive support to the victorious national team.

"Further, we make an earnest appeal to the Football Association of Zambia to re-introduce stringent measures of limiting the number of fans at stadiums to avoid similar incidents in the near future," BETUZ general secretary, Cosmas Mukuka said.

Congo minister regrets fans’ death
By STEPHEN PHIRI

CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE Minister of Sport, Marcel Mbani, has described the death of 12 fans after last Saturday’s 2008 Ghana Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Zambia as regrettable.

In his message of condolences to the Zambian government, Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) and the bereaved families, Mbani said in a telephone interview from Brazzaville yesterday that the Chipolopolo had lost genuine followers through the tragedy.

He said the Congolese people were equally mourning.
Mbani said fans formed an integral part of the game and the tragedy had “put the country into reverse gear.”

“We are mourning with you. It is sad that the tragedy happened when you were supposed to be celebrating the win,” he said.

The incident was triggered in the aftermath of Zambia’s 3-0 thrashing of Congo at Chililabombwe's Konkola Stadium as fans trooped out of the stadium that had been filled to capacity.

Mbani said Congo and Zambia were “brothers” and there was need to be together in trying moments.

And the Zambia under-20 national team has expressed shock at the demise of the fans.

Team manager, Yonah Mufweba, said from the Netherlands yesterday that the players and officials received the news of the tragedy with shock.

Mufweba said a minute of silence was observed on Sunday before the under-20 played Brazilian side Internacional in the PSV Otten Cup.

The under-20 lost 4-3 on post match penalties after a barren draw.

"Our condolences go to the bereaved families. It was sad that the tragedy happened when the nation could have been celebrating the victory,” he said.

The under-20 is in the Netherlands to prepare for the World Youth Championship billed for Canada starting on June 30.

Zambia is in Group B with Spain, Uruguay and Jordan.

[GreatKalu]

On a more positive note ...


Kalusha salutes Under-23
By Sports Reporter

FAZ vice-president, Kalusha Bwalya, has hailed the Zambia Under-23 soccer squad for defying all the odds to beat a much-fancied Ivory Coast 2-0 in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Group B qualifier at Nchanga stadium in Chingola at the weekend.
Kalusha, a star at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, said the Peter Kaumba’s Under-23 squad showed a lot of character against a dangerous opponent to ensure a good start to their campaign.
“There was a lot of heart against dangerous opponents like Ivory Coast. It was an excellent game and also a good start in the Olympics qualifiers,” Kalusha said.
The former Zambia skipper said despite Ivory Coast being a tough opponent, Zambia still managed to take their chances.
He added that after such a good game, he hoped the team would continue to perform well in the upcoming Group B matches against other West African opposition, Mali and Senegal.
At the 1988 Olympic Games, Kalusha was instrumental in Zambia’s 4-0 demolition of Italy where he fired a hat-trick. He was later to be named 1988 African Footballer of the Year.
National senior team coach, Patrick Phiri, said despite Ivory Coast having a lot of tactical discipline, Zambia still managed to capitalise on some lapses to score two goals.
Phiri congratulated Kaumba’s team for ensuring Zambia’s clean sweep at the weekend after the senior team’s 3-0 emphatic win over Congo Brazzaville in the 2008 African Cup qualifier.
However, the two victories were overshadowed by the death of 12 soccer fans in Chililabombwe after a stampede that followed the senior team’s win over Congo at Konkola stadium.
The Zambia Under-23 squad will next play Mali on August 22 in Bamako before facing Senegal.

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Just thought I'd rub it in, Passion

Still quite a way to go with the Malian + Senegalese famed youth programs. A good start though ...

[Passion for *9*]

Originally Posted by censorthiis

Double disaster taints image of African football
(...)
In Freetown, Togo sports minister Tata Avlessi Adaglo and 21 supporters died when the helicopter ferrying them on a seven minute flight from the Sierra Leone capital to the airport crashed.
Source.

Uh oh. =/

The Togo national team were the next in line for the heli shuttle to the airport... By no means I'm quantifying the value of a human life, but I shudder at the thought it could have been them.

[GreatKalu]

I'm quantifying life + will go a step further in saying a loss of a corrupt African politician (and this based on instincts especially considering the monitory drama associated with Togo during the last WC) is less of loss than it may seem.

[GreatKalu]

Bit late but here are the results + group standings after the fourth round of matches ...

http://cafonline.com/competitions.ph...up/matches.htm

Notable mentions are Tunisia and South Africa for their defensive efforts. Seems like Parreira has marshaled Bafana Bafana's defense well ...

[GreatKalu]

Well, hope I'm not pushing my luck by triple posting, but then, this is an exception ... The greatest African Footballer of All Time: Kalusha Bwalya

[Passion for *9*]

^^^ First time I see your hero play, a shame, I know... but I'm just not THAT old

What a great team it was + what a loss

Thanks for posting.

[GreatKalu]

Thanks Passion.

Coach Godfrey Chitalu (up there with 'Lusha' as our best ever - played in the 70s + early 80s) has been missed. He was initially the youth coach + was promoted to NT Coach alongside his players. Ian Potterfield did well right after the crash, but after his departure, we've never really had the administration to match.

More than that, the general undivided attention football got from the public has been lost. Something real special is lacking to wake up the nation ... much like Chitalu + Lusha did.

[Passion for *9*]

Why did he go to Mexico of all places when he wasn't even that old ? If he had stayed in Europe, he probably would have appeared on my radar at that time (OK OK... veeery optimistic assumption... LOL).

And why did he resign as a coach last year ?

Inside scoop, please

[GreatKalu]

Originally Posted by Passion for *9*

Why did he go to Mexico of all places when he wasn't even that old ? If he had stayed in Europe, he probably would have appeared on my radar at that time (OK OK... veeery optimistic assumption... LOL).

Well, I really can't give you an exact reason as to why he left Europe. I remember an interview he had, after the Gabon disaster, where he pledged to do everything in his power to reinstate the National Team as a continental power in order to honor his teammates. With that in mind, he seemed bitterly disappointed at not qualifying to USA '94 + losing to Nigeria in the ACN '94 final. So he probably was demoralized. My guess is a less strenuous calender year in Mexico + the fact that he wasn't really in the best of shapes at 31 when he left PSV ... he also seemed to save his best for the NT. BUT ...

Originally Posted by Passion for *9*

And why did he resign as a coach last year ?

Inside scoop, please

Hence the reason why I can't pinpoint exactly why he left Europe. Such an irony that I don't entirely believe most comments made by my most favorite footballer of all time Unfortunately, his undeniable inspiration on the pitch hasn't been matched by a shady period as player/coach, Technical Adviser and Vice President of FAZ (which he still is). A controversial newspaper (for the government, i.e.) The Post, which is a the mainstay of most political gossip, had a disturbing article that mentioned Lusha renting out his properties in Lusaka + residing at an expensive hotel for more than two years ... the estimated figures (his bill) weren't pleasing There was also an ongoing debate as to whether any person could do both the coaching + administrative jobs to full effect simultaneously.

But, when he took over as coach, he did mention he was inexperienced for the job + said he would step down after ACN '06 if he failed to lead us to a World Cup debut.

That said though, any tarnishing his work off the pitch may have caused to his image will be quickly forgotten once one looks at what he was done for Zambian Football on the pitch. First competitive game after Gabon was against Morocco at the Independence Stadium in an ACN '94 qualifier. The same stadium that was filled with a weeping President (who turned out to be quite the con artist ) + fans, barely 2 months ago. Down 0-1 from a Moroccan first half strike, in the 70th minute, a direct freekick was awarded ... not too close to the penalty area, but you always knew. The crowd chanting 'Lusha Lusha ...' and he didn't disappoint/ We went on to win the game 2-1

But still, being FAZ VP and all, he should know better. We NEED a qualified expatriate coach IMMEDIATELY!

[GreatKalu]

Brilliant Patrick Phiri's innovative tactics have effectively put to end any hopes of us qualifying to Ghana 2008 I'm not too disheartened since I saw this coming for quite sometime. When will FAZ finally accept the fact that Zambian football terribly needs foreign intervention? Idiots

ACN Ghana 2008: fixtures, date and time

Botswana 2-1 Mauritania - 16/6/07
Seychelles 0-2 -Sudan - 16/6/07-16h30
Eriteria 1-0 Kenya - 16/6/07- 15h30
Burkina Faso 0-1 Tanzania- 16/6/07-18h00
Algeria 2-0 Guinea - 16/6/07-21h00
Cap Vert 0-0 Gambia - 16/6/07-16h00
Namibia 1-1- RD Congo - 16/6/07-15h00
Zambia 1-1 Tchad - 16/6/07
Malawi 0-1-Marocco - 16/6/07

Morocco are through.

Not only was that Chad's first point, but also their first goal in the qualifiers

Edit: To make matters worse, South Africa slipped up with a 1-1 draw versus Congo - the first goal they've conceded. We would've closed the gap had we won

Standings with only one round of games to go.

[GreatKalu]

Seems like Barca ain't done getting back what they've allegedly donated to Unicef - and haven't we seen enough of that Next up on which third world Club to pay them hefty amounts to make an appearance are current South African champions, Sundowns.

[Passion for *9*]

^^^ No one is forcing them to play Barcelona + cough up the 2 million or whatever they're demanding this time for showing up. Sundowns could also follow Al-Ahly's example + solicit corporate sponsors

Thanks btw for the elaborate reply above, I really appreciate your effort I remember the story about living it up at the federation's expense but for some reason it escaped me that Kalusha had been the culprit

[GreatKalu]

^^ Anytime

Well, in his defense, Lusha mentioned it was FAZ policy that the VP be reachable in Lusaka at all times + he is isn't from Lusaka. But The Post investigated + uncovered some pretty lush belongings that were allegedly tied to him within Lusaka through a third party. I think he simply stepped into the norm which is at FAZ ... can't imagine what other officials took. So he's one of the culprits.

I was rather pleased then when the current Zambian administration publicly prioritized the fight against corruption, which has been on the decline ever since. They also cut the funds going to FAZ citing their stadia projects ... which I don't mind since they've been investing in other sectors - mainly education, health + transport. But a European coach surely wont cost THAT much.

Our U-20 Team's in Canada for the FIFA Junior World Cup. Hopefully they'll do well

[GreatKalu]

MTN/CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE UPDATE

Group A: ASFAR (Morocco), ESS (Tunisia), Ittihad (Libya), JSK (Algérie)

Group B: Al Ahly (Egypt), Hilal (Sudan), EST (Tunisie), ASEC Mimosas (Côte d'Ivoire)

24-06-2007
Group Stage: First Day matches
ASFAR 0-1 ESS 23/06/07 20h:00
Ittihad 1-0 JSK 22/06/07 21h:00
Ahly 2-0 Hilal 24/06/07 20h:30
EST 0-0 ASEC 23/06/07 19H:10

Seems like its a North African affair ...

[Passion for *9*]

Originally Posted by madtherchot

MTN/CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE UPDATE

Group A: ASFAR (Morocco), ESS (Tunisia), Ittihad (Libya), JSK (Algérie)

Group B: Al Ahly (Egypt), Hilal (Sudan), EST (Tunisie), ASEC Mimosas (Côte d'Ivoire)

24-06-2007
Group Stage: First Day matches
ASFAR 0-1 ESS 23/06/07 20h:00
Ittihad 1-0 JSK 22/06/07 21h:00
Ahly 2-0 Hilal 24/06/07 20h:30
EST 0-0 ASEC 23/06/07 19H:10

Seems like its a North African affair ...

FORZA ASEC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unfortunately they're not really in form at the moment, so one of those North African cheats will most likely win the thing

[GreatKalu]

^^ True, but a draw away from home was commendable. Also, if I remember correctly, Enyimba (Nigeria) did a similar feat three years ago. So you never know ...

[GreatKalu]

1514: FULL TIME! South Africa 1-3 Zambia The whistle goes for full time and Zambia get Group Eleven's automatic ticket to the next year's African Cup of Nations in Ghana. It was a poor performance for the hosts of the 2010 World Cup but they still have a chance to pick up one of the best three runners-up slots for the tournament in Ghana.

Only have the match report ( ) but here it is anyway What a weekend this has been