Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Zambia National soccer team coach threatens to beat Post reporter

On 25 January, 2010 – Zambia National team coach, Herve Renard, is reported to have vented his anger at Post journalist Kalumiana Kalumiana after Zambia’s 5 – 4 quarter final penalty shoot out loss to Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.
Kalumiana told the Post that Renard threatened to beat him up and uttered insults immediately the Frenchman walked into the post match conference at Tundavala stadium in Lubango. He narrated that the incident happened in full view of the Confederations of African Football (CAF) media coordinator Mustapha Badri and journalists from AFP, Supersport and Nigeria among others.
“He sat down and immediately turned his attention to me. You are happy now, eh? This guy is not fit to be a reporter. You accuse me of being drunk? Never in my life have I drunk,” Kalumiana narrated.
He said Reynard attempted to throw a wireless voice translating headset into his direction. Kalumiana said he then left the front row and went to the back as Reynard continued with his outbursts.
“You are not a man you can’t even face me. I will see you outside and beat you. I will be waiting for you. You will see. Yes, you can go and write that, I tell you write!”
BACKGROUND
Renard was referring to Kalumiana’s article that came out in the Post last week with a metaphor that Renard had drunk from the chalice of celebrations and got embarrassing drunk. This was in an apparent reference to the coach’s celebration after Zambia beat Gabon to qualify to the quarter finals.
Last week, Renard blasted Zambian journalists covering the Africa Cup of Nations following Zambia’s 2-1 win over Gabon while skipper Christopher Katongo said the media were not part of the victory.
Renard to the journalists from Zambia Daily Mail, Times of Zambia and The Post that the local media were not supportive of the teams qualifying campaign.
Ends//