OBSERVATION with STEPHEN PHIRI
ZAMBIA yesterday dropped points when Sudan snatched a 1-1 draw in the 2014 Brazil World Cup qualifier at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Beating Sudan could have seen Zambia moving closer to the last round but Sudan had the last laugh.
The Chipolopolo players should pick themselves up, forget about the match against Sudan and focus on the decisive clash against Ghana in Kumasi on September 8.
Whether Ghana loses, draws or beats Lesotho today, the Blacks Stars are beatable on home soil.
Coach Herve Renard should assemble a formidable side that will take the game to Ghana.
With determination, nothing is impossible.
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Cage drunkards
I WAS puzzled last Saturday to see some overzealous soccer fans throwing plastic bottles and beer canes on to the running track after Zambia scored the second goal in the 4-0 bashing of Lesotho in the World Cup qualifier at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
More surprisingly was even ladies, or is it women, also breaking the law with such impunity.
I thought such action, although unacceptable regardless of gender, was more for boys or men.
Why should any soccer-loving fan celebrate a goal in such a primitive manner? Such behavior did not make any sense at all. It was certainly offside.
There are better ways of celebrating a goal. Singing the Chipolopolo anthem is more effective and a civilised way of celebrating than doing something that would bring shame to the country.
I am reliably informed that the match commissioner did not include the incident in his report to FIFA. Had he done that, Zambia could have faced the wrath of FIFA.
We could have been fined or Levy Mwanawasa Stadium could have been closed or the Chipolopolo could have been playing behind closed doors with only government, Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) officials and the media in the terraces.
If this was to happen, who would suffer the most? The same fans who delight in watching the Chipolopolo.
Fans can consume alcohol in bars at the stadium but they should not be allowed to take bottled or caned beer to the terraces. In case of a fight in the terraces, bottles will fly and people could be injured.
The stadium is a masterpiece and we should guard it jealously if we are to continue enjoying games from it.
FAZ and the police should come down heavily on culprits.
In Europe, fans who misbehave are banned for life. Let’s do this in Zambia too to curb unruly behaviour.
Remember the Manchester City fan who rushed onto the pitch in an attempt to ‘sort out’ Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand after he could not stomach the 3-2 loss to the Red Devils. That fan has been banned from entering Etihad Stadium ever again.
We are a stone throw away from making history of qualifying for the World Cup and we should behave accordingly.
I wish Phyllis Chifunda who was shot and wounded by police in Ndola a quick recovery.
The officer who fired the bullet should face the law.
sphiri@daily-mail.co.zm, phiri_steve@yahoo.co.uk
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