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FOOTBALL Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Kalusha Bwalya says Zambia’s bid to qualify for the Brazil 2014 World Cup was not lost in Kumasi on Friday but in Lesotho and Ndola where the Chipolopolo got draws.
Kalusha said in Lusaka yesterday that the two games that Zambia drew in Maseru against Lesotho and at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola against Sudan shaped the Chipolopolo’s destiny in the World Cup qualifiers.
In his review of Zambia’s performance in the qualifiers, the 1988 African-Footballer-Of-The-Year said qualifying series are a marathon and as such the fight was not lost in Kumasi on Friday where Zambia lost narrowly to Ghana.
“You know we always say that qualification for the World Cup is a marathon and not a sprint. I think that we needed to win those games we drew otherwise we did not lose it in Ghana,” he said.
He praised the team for its display in Kumasi against the Black Stars despite losing 1-2 in a tightly-contested match played at Baba Yara Stadium.
He said the game was tough and Zambia were unlucky to have lost despite the boys putting in their best.
Kalusha said the national team will be on a long break and that the association will strive to keep the team in a preparatory phase.
“There is a long break coming for the national team but the most important thing is to be in a preparatory phase and keep preparing the team for future games,” he said.
And Kalusha said the association will discuss with coach Herve Renard at the right time.
He said the 2012 African Cup winning Frenchman still has a contract with FAZ that runs until next year.
He said the national team has just played the last 2014 World Cup qualifier against Ghana and it is too early to discuss Renard’s contract.
There have reports recently suggesting Renard will leave after the game against Ghana.
