- Stay Connected
Socialize
“Being African Champions Has Helped To Raise The Name Of Zambia Worldwide,” Rodgers Kola
BBC Sport, Lusaka
Rodgers Kola believes Zambia’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph helped him seal a move to Belgian side Gent.
The striker, 22, signed a five-year contract with the club on Monday, leaving Israeli side Ashdod Sport Club in an US$1m transfer.
Kola is convinced Zambia’s new status as continental champions means many European clubs now want its players.
“Being African champions has helped to raise the name of Zambia worldwide,” he told BBC Sport.
Kola missed the Nations Cup triumph after failing to make the final squad but he still believes he has benefitted from the country’s inaugural African crown.
“It will definitely help more Zambian players move to Europe and other overseas countries,” he added.
“Despite winning the Africa Cup, I believe Zambia has not said the final word yet until we qualify for the World Cup.”
Kola will hope he can change that history, having already represented his nation at Fifa’s Under-20 World Cup in Canada five years ago.
Although Belgium is a country where many Zambian legends made their mark in the 1980s, no Chipolopolo player has been transferred to that country in over a decade.
Kola says he wants to use the move to Belgium as a stepping stone to bigger leagues.
“I am very excited. It’s definitely a big step in my career but I don’t want to end here,” he said.
Though Kola missed the Nations Cup hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon earlier this year, he says his current target is to return to the Chipolopolo squad.
He was part of the squad but missed out on making the Nations Cup squad when missing a deadline for players to be in camp because he was contesting key matches in the Israeli league.
BBC Sport
Posted by
Rodriguez
May 10, 2012 at 8:28 am
Take me on vacation anyone before and after I get married. sex with no strings attached
please! Lots of love Carolina Rodriguez, Liaison Officer/Slutty Protocol assistant at the High Commission of the republic of Zambia in Ottawa, Canada. I like really rich men only. I got surgical great perky boobs, tattoo on my hip, pierced clit. Come and get me!
hmmm!
May 10, 2012 at 8:48 am
conditions outrageous & too much u rodriguez
Tupac
May 10, 2012 at 8:59 am
BBC-lusaka but he is outside africa bwafya mwandi isukulu lisuma.
lynda
May 10, 2012 at 9:31 am
It feels gud to be champions,I wasn’t evn searchd by customs wen I waz kamin to SA,they shouted Chipolopolo upon seein the pasport.
dandy crazy
May 10, 2012 at 10:12 am
@Lynda.And you were carrying drugs.Rodriguez we need a different post.I know you are a cadre eying that job she has, cool down will find you a job soon.
#SMH
May 10, 2012 at 12:44 pm
Lmfao!! Ati 22. Ubufi, he must be way older. Anyways good for him though.
umubishi
May 10, 2012 at 2:01 pm
@RODRIGUEZ: Ba RODRIGUEZ (CAROLINA/DOMINICAN QUEEN) i mentioned to you to go to any porn industry and have your munyelo pounded. Not on this platfrom pliz
MundiaM
May 10, 2012 at 2:29 pm
ZAMBIANS MUST BENEFIT FROM OUR AFCON CHAMPIONSHIP AND BE MOTIVATED TO QUALIFY FOR THE WORLD CUP. THIS WILL MAKE US LOOK GREAT AND OPEN DOORS FOR OUR FOOTBALL PLAYERS. CONGRATULATIONS KOLA, GO AND DO ZAMBIA PROUD! I AM VERY PROUD YOU ARE MY COUNTRY MAN!
Coward
May 10, 2012 at 5:20 pm
I have watched some clips on youtube of this guy and he is great!!!He deserves it!!Can’t wait for that competition between Kola,Mbesuma,Jacob,Mayuka and Chamanga!!!I think the casualty here will be Mbesuma no disrespect!!!
EDUCATED
May 10, 2012 at 6:36 pm
@ Rodriguez! Your comments are totally irrelevant to the topic at hand. The topic is about Zambian football and not about sex. It’s about time you knew the context and commented appropriately.
Subira kuzipa
May 11, 2012 at 6:15 am
We are proud of our boys bt i alwayz wonder hw much was afcon contain cn sm1 tel me so that i can make a budget
tangai
May 11, 2012 at 9:10 am
Just Learn to be apriciative and conratulate the young for his success. How many players are still cheating about their age in Africa? Zambians, why do we behave this way (tamufwaya ukumona umuntu alechota bwino)
Young God blessed you and do it any away you will the Lord i serve. Many thanks.
tangai
May 11, 2012 at 9:18 am
Just Learn to be apriciative and ecourage the young for his success. How many players are still cheating about their age in Africa? Zambians, why do we behave this way (tamufwaya ukumona umuntu alechita bwino)
Young Man, God blessed you and do it in any away you will impress the Lord i serve. Many thanks.
Phillimon Nyala
May 11, 2012 at 12:06 pm
Caroline Rodrigues! Can you stand 15 inches pounding you for 2hrs? if so, contact me fast before my NYC acct reduces!
umuntu mutwe
May 11, 2012 at 9:23 pm
We are still moving on.World cup there we come.