Japan are the real big spenders in Africa

Bloomberg news reports that Japan has invested more in project financing in Africa than China as Asian nations continue to strengthen their economic influence on the continent, according to Linklaters LLP.

Aba Yellow confirm: Bazo is gone!

Power Dynamos FC have confirmed that Alex "Bazo" Ngonga left the country with Gabonese club CF Mounana who are interested in signing the player.
Power Secretary Ricky Mamfunda stated that the player was released by the club after Mounana opened negotiations with the CEC sponsored side.
“Last week FC Mounana wrote to Power Dynamos to open discussions on the transfer of Alex and we are yet to clinch a deal,” he said.
“Alex left for Gabon immediately after the game against FC Mounana and he has the blessings of club officials,” he said.
“We would love our key players to stay on but the club policy is that the interest of a player is cardinal. This will not be the first time we shall be selling a key player. We sold Mukuka Mulenga to Sundown’s but manage to groom other players,” Mamfunda said.
Ngonga is expected to complete his move to Gabon this week.

Zamfoot

Today's Exchange Rates

US Dollar	7.2714	7.2914
GB Pound	10.8678	10.9014
Euro	7.8931	7.9155
Rand	0.6158	0.6180

Stock Market

Courtesy of The Lusaka Stock Exchange

Tasila Mwale, Jerry Fingaz win ZMAs

Sultry crooner Tasila Mwale and veteran producer Jerry Fingaz were among notable winners of Zambian Music Awards at a ceremony held at Radisson Blu Hotel in Lusaka last night. Tasila left the evening smiling with her Best Traditional Album award, while Jerry while feel vindicated for finally bagging Best Studio Producer award, after years of being a dominant force in the local scene.  The Industry Awards,  which saw a lively performance by The Sakala Brothers was held to honour musicians for the past year of work, as defined by the panel of adjudicators.  Mutamula Mwale bagged best Keyboard Player, while seasoned axe-slinger Victor Kasoma won Best lead Guitarist.   On Saturday the awards proper will be held and broadcast live on ZNBC

Neo says: embrace the political matrix

Political analyst Neo Simutanyi has advised government to appreciate criticism regardless from whom it is coming from.
Dr Simutanyi says it is wrong in a democracy for a political party in power to qualify criticism from opposition political parties.
Dr. Simutanyi is of the view that criticism is criticism and is not supposed to be constructive.
He has told Qfm News by telephone that for the fact that some political parties are in opposition they are supposed to raise issues that are critical to the governing party.
Dr. Simutanyi who is also Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Executive Director has explained that this implies that in a democracy, it is not up to the political party in power to render any criticism from the opposition trivial or otherwise
He states that this is because when registered opposition political parties raise critical issues against the government they in fact do so on behalf of the people.
Dr Simutanyi says this means that when responding to any criticism a political party in power should address the issue that has been raised as opposed to responding to the individual political party that has spoken on behalf of the people.
He says this is because by bringing out what the government is doing wrong, the opposition political parties are in the actual sense suggesting to the people that if they were in power they would have done thinks differently.

Q FM

CBU BC Bonanza

Government has dismissed reports suggesting that it plans withdraw sponsorship for students on government bursary at the Copperbelt University (CBU).
Education Minister Michael Kaingu has told a media briefing in Lusaka this morning that government has no such plans.

Edgar likes 'em young!

President Edgar Lungu says he has no apologies to anyone for appointing young people to serve in his administration.
President Lungu also said that he will not restrict himself to appointing people only from the civil service and those inclined to the ruling PF.
He has since pledged to appoint more women and more young people in his administration.
President Lungu was speaking this morning at State House when he swore in Mr. Likando Kalaluka as Attorney General and Mr Chalwe Lombe as Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Nigeria U23 squad to face Zambia

Nigeria U23 coach Samson Siasia has named an 18 man squad to do battle against Zambia in the must-win 2015 Congo Brazzaville All-Africa Games last round return leg to be played in Lusaka on Sunday.
Atanda Sodiq Ololade, of Fk Apollonia Albania ‎is the only foreign based professional player invited by Siasia that was able to honor the invitation of the coach and has been named in the squad.
Siasia has also made changes to his squad as two of the players who started the first leg in Nigeria, Sincere and Tiongoli, have not made the 18 man list.
He has included two players from the U20 team in his squad.
The Dream Team VI are expected to depart for Lusaka on Thursday from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja aboard an Ethiopian Airline.
In the Zambian camp, Ronald Kampamba has joined the team in camp while Israeli based Evans Kangwa is now a doubt for the Sunday match. Emmanuel Mbola is expected to join the team today as well as Mukuka Mulenga.
The two teams played to a goalless draw in the first leg.
The game kicks off at 15:00hrs and will be played at the Heroes Stadium.
Nigeria U23 Team Travelling to Zambia:
Goal keepers: Daniel Emmanuel, Akande Abiodun;
Defenders: Obanor Erhun, Oduduwa Segun, Amuzie Stanley, Atanda Sodiq, Mustapha Abdullahi, Iroha Chukwuebuka.
Midfielders; Azubuike Okechukwu, Godwin Savior, Mohammed Usman, Sokari Kingsley
Forwards: Etebo Oghenekaro, Ajayi Junior, Onyekachi Peter, Awoniyi Taiwo, Ubong Ekpai, Bernard Bulbwa

Zamfoot

Zambia cashes in on Chagwa's Trips

Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe has disclosed that a total pledge of 2.4 billion has resulted from the President’s visit to China.
Ms. Mwanakatwe told a media briefing in Lusaka today that outside the 2.4 billion, there is a further 800 million US dollars investment pledge.
Ms. Mwanakatwe says during the visit, the presidential delegation met Higer Bus company Limited who expressed willingness to set up a bus assembly plant in Zambia.

2017 AFCON Qualifiers

Zambia now know their opponents on the road to Libreville in the 2017 Africa Cup qualifiers. Zambia have been placed in Group E where they will face 2015 Africa Cup quarterfinalists Congo-Brazzaville. Chipolopolo are also set for their debut meeting against Guinea Bissau. Kenya complete Group E whom Zambia last played in an Africa Cup qualifier 16 years ago for the 2000 tournament that the late Ben Bamfuchile’s side won 1-0 home and away. That match-up could see a possibly fit-again striker Emmanuel Mayuka face his Southampton club mate Victor Wanyama in the qualifiers.

Lusaka Times

New look blog!

Blogzambezi relaunches on the 1st of May!  Look out for a new look and lots of great, authentic Zambian content.  Thanks for your patience!