HOME > NEWS > ZAMBIA COACH HERVE RENARD RATES RAINFORD KALABA AS ONE OF AFRICAS BEST

Zambia coach Herve Renard rates Rainford Kalaba as one of Africa's best

Renard: Kalaba among the best in Africa

Posted: 2012-02-06 10:28

Zambia coach Herve Renard has rated his star man Rainford Kalaba as among the best 15 players in Africa following his enviable output at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.   

The TP Mazembe midfielder has won two successive man of the match awards and has been impressive for the Chipolopolo leading to their quarter-final berth.
 
"For me, he is one of the best players in Africa, maybe in the top 15," the Frenchman said in a press conference.  
 
Renard believes that if the 25-year-old had not been suspended during the 2010 Nations Cup in Angola, his side would have reached the semi-final.
 
"You know when we played the 2010 quarter-final he was suspended and yesterday (Saturday) before the game I said we are lucky because Rainford is here," he said. 
 
"Do you know the name his team-mates are calling him on the pitch? They are calling him 'Master'."
 
"When they are asking for the ball they call out 'Master! Master!!'
 
"I think the word can only explain everything and how important he is to the team," he added. 

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LESEGO: 2012-02-06 11:20

He's a real master, reminds me of KING Kalusha Bwalya, boy is trully talented!!!!

ke lekhosi: 2012-02-06 15:01

what a player,very talented.

Futbal fan: 2012-02-06 17:19

There's something about Zambia & Zim players that makes them beat other Southern African Countries like ZA at the top and the small ones: Botswana, Mozambigue, Malawi, Angola, Namibia and those at the bottom in Lesotho and Swaziland. Development is taken seriously at these 2 countries, if one looks at their U17, U20 and U23s you will understand what I'm talking about.
This boy is a marvel to watch, he's small in stature but his football heart & brain are bigger that those of 11 players from some of our countries. The danger about the zambian team is they have stars who are willing to die for each other, unlike stars from other teams who seem to cherish personnal glory, they are all playing for their country.
Up Zambia, my support is behind you at the AFCON!!

ABENA KITWE IN GABS: 2012-02-06 19:38

AFRICAN FOOTBALL IS NOT ABOUT HOW MANY STARS THE TEAM HAS, BUT HOW WELL THE TEAM CAN PLAY AS A UNIT.THIS WAS HOW EGYPT WON THE TITLE 3 TIMES IN A ROW. ZAMBIA IS WINING THIS TITLE. THEY ARE A TEAM NOT STARS.

Sweyts : 2012-02-06 20:00

Kalaba is very effective indeed, I rate him above the overhyped Dede Ayew.