. MWALE

By GWEN CHIPASULA  –
SPORTS Minister Vincent Mwale hopes the visit by  former England and Manchester United great, Andy Cole, will inspire upcoming Zambian players to aim high.
Mwale described Cole as an icon to many players and that it was such an honour to see Barclays Bank Zambia bring such a legend to Zambia.
The minister said this in an interview at the weekend after watching the English Premiership League (ELP) game between champions Chelsea and Everton which ended 3-all alongside Cole at Lusaka’s Raddison Blu.
Mwale said other corporate entities should emulate the efforts made by Barclays to sponsor not only football but other sporting disciplines as well. He said Government was grateful to Barclays for sponsoring the country’s only remaining cup tournament in the Barclays Cup.
“We want to see such support extended to other sports. Those few coins from their profits can be used to help other sports too. We want such motivation in sports,” he said.
Barclays Bank Zambia managing director, Saviour Chibiya said the bank was excited to have brought Cole who is one of the greatest players to have graced the game.
Chibiya said the bank as the sponsors of the EPL and the Barclays Cup are committed to contributing to the development of sport in Zambia.
Meanwhile, former Chipolopolo coach Honour Janza has urged players to emulate striker Collins Mbesuma whom he said has managed to stay on top of the game because he is a disciplined and focused player.
Mbesuma on Friday scored a brace for his South African side Mpumalanga Black Aces to take command of the top scorers chart with 10 goals, four clear of Andrea Fileccia (Free State Stars), Daine Klate (Bidvest Wits) and Thobani Mncwango (Polokwane City
Janza said he has always believed in Mbesuma’s abilities and was happy to see him back to his original form.