FORMER national team coach Herve Renard is mourning with Zambians over the death of President Sata.
Renard, in an email sent yesterday, conveyed his condolences to First Lady Christine Kaseba and to the country at large.
“I pass my condolences to the first family and may his soul rest in peace,” he said.
Renard guided the Chipolopolo to the Africa Cup of Nations triumph on February 12, 2012 in Libreville but a year later, champions Zambia were eliminated in the group stage in South Africa.
The Frenchman led the Chipolopolo to victory during the 2013 Council of Southern Africa Football Associations Senior Challenge Cup staged in Zambia.
He pushed Zambia to third place finish at the 2009 African Nations Championship in Ivory Coast, where he is currently at the helm of the Elephants, and to a quarter-final berth at the 2010 Angola Africa Cup of Nations.
Meanwhile, Russia-based Chipolopolo midfielder Chisamba Lungu says the November 15 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mozambique will be emotional, DIANA MUTAKAFIMBO reports.
Lungu said in an interview yesterday that it will be emotional for players to face Mozambique, three days after burying Sata.
“He is the man who truly loved football. He was there to encourage us even when things didn’t seem to go our way. We loved him so much and playing against Mozambique a few days after burying him will be very emotional,” he said.
Lungu said the national team players have no option but to give Sata a befitting farewell by qualifying for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
Cape Verde are leading Group F with nine points, Zambia and Mozambique have five points apiece but the former have a superior goal aggregate while Niger are on two points.
And striker Ronald Kampamba said he will work hard to honour Sata by helping Zambia secure victory over Mozambique, HONE SIAME reports.
The Nkana goal-poacher said in Kitwe yesterday that beating Mozambique and qualifying for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations will be the best way of honouring Sata.
He said the match against the Mambas will be challenging as it will be taking place four days after Sata’s burial.
“We have to win in Mozambique to honour our late President Sata. It is sad to lose such a hard working President. Only God knows,” said a grieving Kampamba as he was glued to the television following the proceedings of the arrival of Sata’s body from London.
Zambia Daily Mail