Renard banks on fans

COACH Herve Renard has called for more support from Zambian fans during this Saturday’s 2010 World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Algeria.

• Renard said in an interview from Johannesburg yesterday that fans should inspire the team to victory through singing and beating drums.
• He said the qualifying series has reached a crucial stage and Zambia cannot afford to donate points.
• “With the support from our fans, Algeria will not survive,” Renard said.
• He said his troops are injury-free and looking forward to the crucial tie set for Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe.
• Meanwhile, Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Leslie Mbula has urged the Chipolopolo to remain focused and disciplined in the run-up to the tie against Algeria.
• Speaking when he addressed the national team in Johannesburg yesterday, Mbula said Zambians were looking forward to a positive result.
• “You managed to draw with Egypt and you beat Rwanda. President Banda and the nation as a whole are confident that you have the capacity to beat Algeria as well,” he said.
• In a statement released from Johannesburg yesterday by second secretary for press Philip Chirwa, Mbula also urged players to treat football as a career, which should be used to prepare for their future.
• “Please, please, prepare for your future because life as a footballer does not last long. When you are over 30, you will be too old to play football. Thus, I urge you to treat football as a career and invest part of what you earn in worthwhile projects like housing so that you do not become destitutes in the end,” he said.
• Football Association of Zambia president Kalusha Bwalya said it was his executive’s desire to see Zambia qualify for the World Cup finals in South Africa.