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<H2></H2><SPAN>First Published: Nov 06, 2006</SPAN> <DIV class=pictureCaption style="FLOAT: right; WIDTH: 245px">
Stephen Keshi, seen here in January, is among five candidates to take charge of Zambia. Keshi took tiny Togo to the 2006 World Cup.</DIV>
Stephen Keshi, the coach who took tiny Togo to the 2006 World Cup, is among five candidates to take charge of Zambia.
James Duffy and Colwyn Rowe from England, Brazilian Edson Silva and Bertalan Bicskei from Hungary have also been shortlisted from 40-plus applicants, national football association spokesman Joseph Nkole said Monday.
Keshi, a defensive colossus in the mid-90s when Nigeria lifted the African Nations Cup and made their maiden World Cup appearance, achieved the seemingly impossible with perennial underachievers Togo.
By topping a pool including more fancied Senegal, Mali and Zambia, the west African state qualified for the World Cup and the African Nations Cup tournaments this year.
But verbal clashes with star striker Emmanuel Adebayor ahead of the Nations Cup in Egypt last January and an ignominious first-round exit after defeats by Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon and Angola led to Keshi being axed.
Although linked with 2008 Nations Cup hosts Ghana when Serb Ratomir Dujkovic resigned, the prized post went to Claude le Roy, an experienced Frenchman who has coached several African national teams.
Local Patrick Phiri has been in temporary charge of Zambia since former African Footballer of the Year Kalusha Bwalya quit after the country was eliminated in the first round of the 2006 African Nations Cup.
Phiri had mixed luck, guiding Zambia to a surprise final victory over Angola in the regional Castle Cup last month just two weeks after a shock home loss to struggling South Africa in a 2008 Nations Cup qualifier.
He did not apply to coach Chipolopolo (Copper Bullets) despite the instant national popularity triggered by the success over World Cup qualifiers Angola, according to Nkole.
Stephen Keshi, seen here in January, is among five candidates to take charge of Zambia. Keshi took tiny Togo to the 2006 World Cup.</DIV>
Stephen Keshi, the coach who took tiny Togo to the 2006 World Cup, is among five candidates to take charge of Zambia.
James Duffy and Colwyn Rowe from England, Brazilian Edson Silva and Bertalan Bicskei from Hungary have also been shortlisted from 40-plus applicants, national football association spokesman Joseph Nkole said Monday.
Keshi, a defensive colossus in the mid-90s when Nigeria lifted the African Nations Cup and made their maiden World Cup appearance, achieved the seemingly impossible with perennial underachievers Togo.
By topping a pool including more fancied Senegal, Mali and Zambia, the west African state qualified for the World Cup and the African Nations Cup tournaments this year.
But verbal clashes with star striker Emmanuel Adebayor ahead of the Nations Cup in Egypt last January and an ignominious first-round exit after defeats by Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon and Angola led to Keshi being axed.
Although linked with 2008 Nations Cup hosts Ghana when Serb Ratomir Dujkovic resigned, the prized post went to Claude le Roy, an experienced Frenchman who has coached several African national teams.
Local Patrick Phiri has been in temporary charge of Zambia since former African Footballer of the Year Kalusha Bwalya quit after the country was eliminated in the first round of the 2006 African Nations Cup.
Phiri had mixed luck, guiding Zambia to a surprise final victory over Angola in the regional Castle Cup last month just two weeks after a shock home loss to struggling South Africa in a 2008 Nations Cup qualifier.
He did not apply to coach Chipolopolo (Copper Bullets) despite the instant national popularity triggered by the success over World Cup qualifiers Angola, according to Nkole.
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