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Sata's Surprise Visit a Motivation - Kalusha

Sata's Surprise Visit a Motivation - Kalusha
By Oliver Chisenga at Soccer City, South Africa
Sun 20 Jan. 2013, 10:30 CAT

PRESIDENT Michael Sata's surprise visit to the Chipolopolo will be a good motivation for the team to work extra hard and win the Africa Cup again, FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya said yesterday.

President Sata will pay a surprise visit on Zambia's national soccer team today ahead of their first game against Ethiopia tomorrow.

Kalusha, who met President Sata yesterday during the official opening of the 29th Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, said in an interview that the President's presence would ignite the team to retain the title attained last year.

"His (President Sata's) visit will inspire the boys.

The training has been well and the President's visit will amplify on what the boys have prepared. It is actually good timing for the President to give support to the boys as they meet Ethiopia tomorrow," he said.

And assessing Zambia's chances of winning this year's cup, Kalusha who could, however, not comment further, only advised the team to "take a step at a time".

"Football is dynamic. The team should take a step at a time. It is a big challenge. Every team would want to work extra hard knowing that they are playing the champions of Africa," said Kalusha.
Owing to heavy rains experienced yesterday afternoon, the official opening scheduled for 16:00 hours delayed by almost an hour ahead of the first match between South Africa's Bafana Bafana and Cape Verde.

There is a lot of anxiety amongst South Africans, although they are optimistic about Zambia scooping this year's championship.

Meanwhile, Zambians resident in South Africa's Yeoville and Berea areas are optimistic that Chipolopolo will defend the Africa Cup title during the continent's most prestigious soccer tournament that kicked off last evening.

And some Zambians talked to said they were confident that the Chipolopolo team constituted to defend the title will deliver.

"We are happy with the team that Renard named and we will be going to Nelspruit to support our team...we are African Champions, and we are warning them that a lion will not die with its tail between the legs. Watch out for Mbesuma and Mukuka Mulenga," said soccer fan Hector Mwale.
And a check on popular Rocky street found Zambians and DRC fans displaying their flags and singing Chipolopolo songs.

"We are united like brothers as you can see here; Congolese are like our brothers and we will stick together until we meet on the field of play," said another Zambian soccer fan Christopher Sichilima. "We are winning this cup again, we have a quality
team and our exposure speaks for itself. We shall retain this title...Egypt did it and we shall as well do it."

Johannesburg has been a hive of activity for Zambians resident in South Africa as they wait for Chipolopolo's first game against Ethiopia tomorrow.

With the presence of Zambian musicians, among them Danny, B1 and Dalisoul, who put up an opening concert yesterday, Zambian soccer fans will definitely be put in the mood to support the national team.

Labels: FAZ, KALUSHA BWALYA, MICHAEL SATA

posted by MrK @ 9:11 PM