Wed, 05 Jul 2017 13:35:44 +0000
…Lusaka City Market inferno derails soccer fans plans
By MICHAEL MIYOBA
CHIPOLOPOLO Soccer Fans Association’s offices where yesterday gutted in the fire which destroyed more than 4,000 stalls at Lusaka City Market.
Soccer Fans Association’s patron Peter Makembo disclosed the sad development to Daily Nation Sports in Lusaka.
Makembo said the fire which Started around 04:00 hours in the morning burnt the traveling documents which were in the offices.
He said him and his team were yesterday scheduled to leave for South Africa to go and cheer the Chipolopolo boys who are taking on Tanzania in the semifinal of the 2017 COSAFA Cup tournament underway in South Africa.
“We had organized about 100 soccer fans who were supposed to travel to South Africa to cheer the boys but due to the accident which happened at City market which resulted in our offices being gutted, we have been unable to travel.
“All the traveling documents have been burnt to ashes,” Makembo explained
Makembo has however urged the Zambia National Soccer team not to underrate Tanzania as the two team clash in the 2017 COSAFA Cup semifinal at Moruleng Stadium in North Western Province of South Africa.
He said it would be a mistake for Wedson Nyirenda’s boys to think that they have already won the match before it is played.
Makembo noted that there was need for the chipolopolo boys to maintain their focus after their 2-1 victory over Botwana last Saturday.
“The boys should not underrate the Tanzanians because it wouldn’t go well with the soccer fans therefore I would urge the boys to remain focused and play their lungs out to win. Let them reach the finals. As fans we will always be behind them.
“Let them not give up. Let them bring the trophy because as fans we believe in them and what they are capable of doing,” Makembo said.
Meanwhile Tanzanian head coach Salum Mayanga believes his team will beat Zambia and qualify for the 2017 COSAFA Cup final.
The Taifa Stars set up a date with the 2012 African Champions after beating tournament host South Africa thanks to Elias Maguli’s eighteenth minute strike last Sunday at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.
“What we want are results. We have been accused of winning unconvincingly but we are in the semifinals now.
“We know that Zambia is a handful. They have given us a lot of problems on several occasion. However my boys are determined to reach the finals and I’m confident they will accomplish the mission,” Mayanga said.
The match kicks off at 17:00 hours central African time with the winner progressing to the finals were they will meet the winner of the second semifinal fixture between Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
