admin“We can play against anybody. We can compete against anyone,” Renard added:
“We have worked very hard these past weeks and the squad is ready for any competitor. We are focused, disciplined and working hard. We are in the final phase and now we have our final 23.”
On his return to begin a second spell as Chipolopolo boss, Renard inherited a squad that looked a pale shadow of the shinning team of Angola 2010.
A
team which ended the country’s poor run of never going past the group stages of African nations championships for over 14 years – a time which spanned from 1996 when Kalusha Bwalya became the first and only Zambian player to win the Nations Cup golden boot award with five goals.
Zambia finished third after beating Ghana Black Stars 1-0 to finish third at South Africa ‘96.
Looking back at Angola 2010 and the next finals, Renard: “As we are today, we’re now getting to a state where we are better than we were in Angola.
“You can see it in the squad and when you watch the players in action, you can see the commitment, hard work, determination and commitment.
“We will be competitive and be ready to play anybody. We are better than we were in Angola.”
Renard unveiled his 23-man squad Monday night.
Thomas Nyirenda failed to make the cut with a nagging knee injury while Given Singuluma and Justine Zulu miss out on the biggest African soccer football festival.
Meanwhile, veteran midfielder Dipsy Selolwane will be the only player with any previous experience of club football in Europe in a 23-man squad named by debutants Botswana for the African Cup of Nations.
Selolwane, who had a brief spell in Denmark and also played in the US for four years, captains the southern African country on their first Nations Cup outing after their shock qualification for the 16-team tournament in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
The squad named by coach Stanley Tshosane and released by the country’s official news agency BOPA yesterday is mainly home-based but has six players from clubs in neighbouring South Africa.
That includes Selolwane, who will 34 at the end of the month, and midfielder Mogogi Gabonamong, who play for South African premier leaguer frontrunners SuperSport United.
Winger Phenyo Mongala of Bloemfontein Celtic and Santos midfielder Boitumelo Mafoko are two more players from other top flight South African sides, plus two more come from the second division.
Botswana open their Group D campaign against World Cup quarterfinalists Ghana in Franceville, Gabon on January 24. Their other first round opponents are Guinea and Mali.
The squad departed Gaborone yesterday for an eight-day training camp in Cameroon.
The full Zambia squad
Goalkeepers:
Kennedy Mweene, Kalililo Kakonje and Joshua Titima.
Defenders: Joseph Musonda, Francis Kasonde, Nyambe Mulenga, Stophira Sunzu, Hichani Himoonde, Chintu Kampamba and Davies Nkausu.
Midfielders:
Rainford Kalaba, Isaac Chansa, Nathan Sinkala, Noah Chivuta, Clifford Mulenga, Felix Katongo, Christopher Katongo and Chisamba Lungu.
Strikers:
Emmanuel Mayuka, Collins Mbesuma, James Chamanga, Evans Kangwa and Jonas Sakuwaha.
Botswana Squad
Goalkeepers:
Kabelo Dambe (Township Rollers), Noah Maposa (Gaborone United), Modiri Marumo (Bay United)
Defenders: Monametsi Kelebale (Nico United), Ndiyapo Letsholathebe (Police XI), Tshepo Motlhabankwe (Mochudi Centre Chiefs), Mmusa Ohilwe (Gaborone United), Mosimanegape Ramohibidu (Botswana Meat Commission), Mompati Thuma (Botswana Defence Force XI)
Midfielders:
Mogogi Gabonamong (SuperSport United), Boitumelo Mafoko (Santos), Joel Mogorosi, Pontsho Moloi (both Mochudi Centre Chiefs), Phenyo Mongala (Bloemfontein Celtic), Patrick Motsepe (Botswana Defence Force XI), Ofentse Nato (Gaborone United), Othusitse Pilane (Mochudi Centre Chiefs), Dipsy Selolwane (SuperSport United)
Strikers:
Moemedi Moatlhaping (Bay United), Mogakolodi Ngele (Township Rollers), Jerome Ramatlhakwana. – AFP.
Online Reporter