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Zambia coach Herve Renard: We have to win against Cote d'Ivoire
The Frenchman is keen to get the Chipolopolo their first Afcon title on Sunday when they take on the mighty Elephants
10-Feb-2012 9:47:46 PM
By Peter Pedroncelli
Getty Images
Zambia coach Herve Renard is determined to beat Cote d'Ivoire in the final of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday in Libreville.
The Chipolopolo have done phenomenally well to reach the ultimate match at the event, and the Frenchman is hoping to crown his side's performance throughout the tournament with their first ever Afcon title.
Renard returned to Zambia following his first spell with the team a few years ago, where he took the southern Africans to the quarter-finals of the showpiece tournament when it was hosted in Angola.
He then left the Chipolopolo for a short stint with the Palancas Negras, but the Angolans frustrated Renard and there were issues with his pay, and shortly after Dario Bonetti qualified the Zambians for the 2012 Afcon, he was sacked and replaced with the returning Renard.
"On November 15, for our first game against Nigeria, I said to myself: 'What am I doing... it's a disaster'," he revealed, after his side lost his first match back in charge against the Super Eagles.
Things improved, however, and he now believes that his side can win the Afcon in Gabon, despite the fact that they are considered underdogs in the final match against the Elephants.
"Most of our players don't have the same background as other Africans, who play with top European clubs like Manchester City," he said to Reuters.
"I have always believed in myself. Here in Africa, they recognise my skills. Now we have a final to play and we have to win. No matter how, we have to win."
The Chipolopolo have done phenomenally well to reach the ultimate match at the event, and the Frenchman is hoping to crown his side's performance throughout the tournament with their first ever Afcon title.
Renard returned to Zambia following his first spell with the team a few years ago, where he took the southern Africans to the quarter-finals of the showpiece tournament when it was hosted in Angola.
He then left the Chipolopolo for a short stint with the Palancas Negras, but the Angolans frustrated Renard and there were issues with his pay, and shortly after Dario Bonetti qualified the Zambians for the 2012 Afcon, he was sacked and replaced with the returning Renard.
"On November 15, for our first game against Nigeria, I said to myself: 'What am I doing... it's a disaster'," he revealed, after his side lost his first match back in charge against the Super Eagles.
Things improved, however, and he now believes that his side can win the Afcon in Gabon, despite the fact that they are considered underdogs in the final match against the Elephants.
"Most of our players don't have the same background as other Africans, who play with top European clubs like Manchester City," he said to Reuters.
"I have always believed in myself. Here in Africa, they recognise my skills. Now we have a final to play and we have to win. No matter how, we have to win."
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