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Zambia coach Herve Renard: The 1993 catastrophe is a motivation for 2012 Afcon final
The Frenchman is looking forward to repeating the 1974 and 1994 final feat in the 2012 Afcon, but this time he wants to take the trophy home
05-Feb-2012 2:53:25 PM
By Kent Mensah
Gettyimages
Zambia coach Herve Renard has hailed his team for reaching the semi-finals of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations and said the 1993 catastrophe that hit the Chipolopolo is a source of motivation to them.
About 20 years ago, 18 players and some officials of the Zambia national team perished in a plane crash on their way to a World Cup qualification game against Senegal off the coast of Gabon – co-hosts of the 2012 Afcon – and the Frenchman is hopeful the tragedy will spur his side on to honour the departed with a final berth on February 12.
The Copper Bullets beat Sudan 3-0 on Saturday to reach the last four stage of the continental showpiece.
“We have another target - to reach Gabon on 12 February for the circumstances we know, the catastrophe of 1993," the coach told the BBC. “That will be another sign for the destiny of Zambia - but it's far [away] at the moment.”
He was full of praise for his side that progressed past the quarter-final finishing point two years ago and will love to see them in the final – a place they last reached almost two decades back before they were beaten by Nigeria.
“I don't say we played well, but I say we did well,” he said.
He noted that despite an empty stadium he motivated his charges to believe in themselves coupled with the fact that several of their supporters are backing them worldwide behind television sets.
Renard added: “We were efficient today [Saturday]. Some people might have thought it was easy - it wasn't. I told the players there are millions of Zambians [watching on television] and people around Africa, Europe and the world.”
The southern Africans will face either Ghana or Tunisia in the semis on Wednesday.
About 20 years ago, 18 players and some officials of the Zambia national team perished in a plane crash on their way to a World Cup qualification game against Senegal off the coast of Gabon – co-hosts of the 2012 Afcon – and the Frenchman is hopeful the tragedy will spur his side on to honour the departed with a final berth on February 12.
The Copper Bullets beat Sudan 3-0 on Saturday to reach the last four stage of the continental showpiece.
“We have another target - to reach Gabon on 12 February for the circumstances we know, the catastrophe of 1993," the coach told the BBC. “That will be another sign for the destiny of Zambia - but it's far [away] at the moment.”
He was full of praise for his side that progressed past the quarter-final finishing point two years ago and will love to see them in the final – a place they last reached almost two decades back before they were beaten by Nigeria.
“I don't say we played well, but I say we did well,” he said.
He noted that despite an empty stadium he motivated his charges to believe in themselves coupled with the fact that several of their supporters are backing them worldwide behind television sets.
Renard added: “We were efficient today [Saturday]. Some people might have thought it was easy - it wasn't. I told the players there are millions of Zambians [watching on television] and people around Africa, Europe and the world.”
The southern Africans will face either Ghana or Tunisia in the semis on Wednesday.
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