• SPORTS Minister Chishimba Kambwili (right), flanked by Permanent Secretary Agnes Musunga, stresses a point to CAF inspection delegation leader Amadou Diakite as FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya (left) looks on during the tour of Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola yesterday. Picture by MOSES CHIMFWEMBE

By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE and FRANCINA CHOMBA –
THE Confederation of African Football (CAF) delegation of inspectors have said they have been informed adequately on what they expected to know about a country bidding for the right to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Zambia is vying to stage the 2019 continental football showpiece together with Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, Algeria and Cameroon.
CAF Committee member and delegation leader Amadou Diakite told journalists in Ndola yesterday that the inspection of Zambia’s facilities was progressing well and that his team was working under favourable conditions.
“All I can say for now is that everything is going on well and we have been informed adequately on everything that we want to hear,” Diakite said.
The inspection team comprising Diakite of Mali, Adoum Djibril of Chad, Paul Bassey of Nigeria and Amr Fahmy of Egypt yesterday toured facilities in Ndola that included the ultra modern Levy Mwanawasa Stadium as a competition venue and Dola Hill, Musa Kasonka and Trade Fair Grounds to be used as training venues.
The CAF officials also inspected Ndola Central Hospital, Mukuba and Savoy hotels before winding up the day with Moba and Hotel Edinburg in Kitwe.
Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili, who led the Government delegation comprising Permanent Secretary Agnes Musunga and officials from the Ministry of Sports, said the 2017 Africa Youth Championship (AYC) that Zambia is scheduled to host, will be a dress rehearsal for the 2019 AFCON.
Kambwili said the facilities that were proposed in Zambia’s bid be used during the AYC and that Zambia was in a better position to stage the AFCON.
“I would like to assure you (CAF Inspectors) that Government will be carrying out the upgrade of most of these facilities and the fact that we are hosting the Africa Youth Championship in 2017, means by that year, we will have everything ready.
Our security situation here is excellent and we have never experienced any form of political instability. Copperbelt alone was able to host the 2013 COSAFA Senior Challenge and from that experience, we have no security concerns,” he said.
The inspection team today moves to Chingola and Chililabombwe where they will tour the Konkola Stadium as match venue and Waston and Nchanga Stadia as training venues. Also lined up is the Protea Hotel in Chingola, Nchanga Mine Police and Konkola Mine Hospital.
The team will then proceed to Livingstone for a tour tomorrow before a report is submitted to the CAF Executive Committee that will meet in September to decide which country will host AFCON tournaments in 2019 and 2021.
Meanwhile, PERPETUAL SICHIKWENKWE reports that Fourth Republican president Rupiah Banda has expressed hope that Zambia will win the bid to host the 2019 AFCON but warned that there was need to prepare adequately.
The former president told journalists in Lusaka yesterday that it was his wish that Zambia received the support of other countries to ensure that the tournament is staged in Southern Africa.
“As you know I am a football fan and I am confident that Zambia will get the bid. I just hope that other countries will support Zambia’s bid to host the competition but the important thing would be to adequately prepare,” he said.