'We're
Ready for Liberia'
The Times of Zambia (Ndola)
September 2, 2004
Sports Reporter
ZAMBIA soccer team head coach Kalusha Bwalya has declared his men
ready for Saturday's joint 2006 World/Africa Cup qualifier against
Liberia at Independence stadium, which President Mwanawasa is
expected to watch.
Kalusha was speaking in an interview after his team composed of all,
but two of the called-up players, midfielder Gift Kampamba of
Russia's FK Rostselmash and defender Elijah Tana from Angolan giants
Petro Atletico, beat a Lusaka select side 3-0 at Sunset stadium.
Kampamba, who confirmed his availability to FAZ yesterday, is
expected in today, while Tana was scheduled to arrive last evening.
Kalusha said he was satisfied with the performance of the players
who included professionals Harry Milanzi from South Africa's Golden
Arrows and Sweden-based defender Edwin Phiri of Orgryte who arrived
on Tuesday.
"It's important to get everybody together in a normal practice match
and today is no exception. We have had a good practice match and I
can say we are ready, but I must say we will be more ready on
Saturday."
Kalusha said he was happy with the arrival of the called-up
professionals, but stressed that he regarded all players as the
same, whether foreign-based or not, saying each player contributed
greatly to the team and made a difference.
"For me there is nothing like a professional player or a local
player. All players come in and bring in their effort. So there is
nothing like a professional status. To me, it does not apply," said
Kalusha.
He said he had not seen any major flaws in the team after
yesterday's training and that what mattered most was consistency and
come Saturday the team would be more than ready to face Liberia.
"You can't be spot-on every time. I must say I have not seen any
serious flaws, but come Saturday the team will be practically ready
for Liberia," declared Kalusha, who is also FAZ vice-president.
He said he had an idea of the kind of football Liberia played having
seen them once in Mexico when he was with Vera Cruz and some other
time in the Africa Cup finals.
"I have seen Liberia play before when I was at Vera Cruz in Mexico
and also I have seen them in the Africa Cup sometime, but this is a
competition and we too consolidate our play to accrue points,"
Kalusha said.
The practice match was watched by Sport, Youth and Child Development
Deputy Minister George Chulumanda, FAZ committee members George
Kasengele and Mwansa Mbulakulima, a number of club officials and
scores of spectators.
The national team looked physically superior to the select side
which was equally spirited with sparks coming from the likes of
Felix Katongo, Donwell Yobe, Sebastian Mwansa, Kelvin Simbeye and
Dears Kakunta.
Jacob Mulenga of French Ligue 2 side SC Chateroux scored the first
goal for Zambia on the half hour mark, while Isaac Chansa who has
just been signed on by South African side Orlando Pirates, struck
the second goal in the 40th minute.
The now plump Collins Mbesuma, who is enjoying a fine run of form
with Kaiser Chiefs and had an outstanding performance, notched in
the winner for Zambia.
Meanwhile, the rest of Liberian team is expected to arrive in Lusaka
today to join their colleagues who have been coming in batches of
two and three from their various bases.
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