By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –

THE vanquished Chipolopolo arrived back home from the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals yesterday to a fairly decent welcome from Government officials and soccer fans who besieged the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA).
While other contingent members flew straight to Ndola, the bulk of the crew that was returning home landed via Lusaka where a hoard of soccer fans clad in national and Chipolopolo colours beat their drums away to receive the team.
Government officials led by Deputy Director of Sports Gibson Muyaule and Sports Council of Zambia (SCZ) chairperson Mwamba Kalenga were on hand to receive the crushed side in the absence of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) officials.
Muyaule encouraged the team and promised them of Government support but called for the strengthening of the team.
“You are welcome back, though we as a country we would have loved you to go beyond the group stage. I would like to ask FAZ to tighten up the loose ends by bridging the gaps because we saw the boys are good and determined but just kept falling short,” he said.
Kalenga said it was important that discipline was maintained in the team as they aim at breaking higher grounds.
“We all watched all your games and we saw that you did your best but I must mention here that the performance cannot really be blamed on the coach as he did his work before the game and it was up to the players to deliver,” he said.
Janza thanked Government for the support rendered to the team and that the early exit was just as painful to him as it was for the rest of the country because he was expecting more from the players.
When asked about his contract, Janza opted not to comment apart from saying that at the end of day, he was a Zambian and a loyal son of the country who would serve diligently whenever asked to.
“We may have been ejected early and it was disappointing but I believe we have made one step forward. We had a lot of young players who blended in well with the older guys.
We actually were admired for playing so well yet with such young players. I believe we have done well and we carried a best possible team and did not miss any of the guys we left behind,” he said.