Zambia find themselves in a group from hell. They have to get past Algeria, Cameroon and Nigeria if they are to make their maiden appearance in the 2018 World Cup.
It's a good thing for them then that a pastor is in charge of Chipolopolo, even if it’s in an interim capacity until a permanent head coach is hired.
Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Wedson Nyirenda who is also a pastor and a published author, will lead Zambia in Ndola against Nigeria tomorrow when they start their World Cup qualifiers.
Once the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) hire either Gordon Igesund, Sebastien Desabre or Raoul Savoy, Nyirenda will revert to his role as assistant coach.
Even though many of his countrymen feel he should be the head coach, having done well in his coaching stints at Zesco United and Zanaco FC before going to coach in Mozambique, he doesn't see a problem with being the deputy, arguing that his time will come.
Nyirenda is soft-spoken but commands authority and respect. That voice comes in handy whether he is barking instructions on the field or preaching.
“After going through things of the world, there came a time when the Holy Spirit just hit me and I said I think today I will go to church,” Nyirenda said.
“I told my wife I'd stopped drinking. She laughed at me and said, how many times have you told me that when you have a hangover?’
“I went to church. I was still playing for Nchanga Rangers at the time. Footballers had a certain reputation.
“When you go to church, people would turn their heads and say, have you seen that player? He is here’.
Nyirenda continued: “The whispers are something that would bring you down. At the end of the service, they said the newcomers must rise. I declined.
“I told myself I am not standing up. And then this man sitting next to me, said: Come on Wedson, stand up’. I almost collapsed walking down that aisle because of all the eyes on me.”
There will be more eyes watching him and his Chipolopolo when they walk on to the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium tomorrow looking to tame the Super Eagles.
In their group, Zambia are the only side who haven’t been to the World Cup. Their three opponents were in Brazil for the 2014 global showpiece.
“Sometimes being an underdog is an advantage,” Nyirenda said.
“Maybe they will underestimate us and find a different Zambia. If we put everything in order, within the short time we have, we can surprise people.”
Taking Zambia to new heights is something Nyirenda is used to.
He is the first coach to lead a Zambian club to the group stage of a continental competition. He did that when he took Zanaco to the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup in 2010.
That responsibility has followed him again, just like football followed him when he tried to run away from it.
“I liked boxing,” Nyirenda said.
“But my father beat me up one day when I came from a boxing bout. He told me I shouldn't do that sport because I will go mad. That’s how I lost interest in boxing.
“I focused on football, which runs in the family.
“My older brother, Stone, is in Belgium, where he has been based since he retired.”
Helping Zambia qualify for the World Cup is just one part of Nyirenda’s aspiration.
He would like to return to South Africa to coach Amakhosi.
“One day I will sit on that bench,” Nyirenda said.
“The relationship have with Kaizer Chiefs hasn’t diminished. I have that dream that one day I would coach Chiefs.
“Maybe after Zambia, I will get a job there.”
Saturday Star