Herve Renard
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9th February, 2012
Zambian Coach Herve Renard Has The Moment
A semi final clash against Ghana is the moment Zambian coach, Herve Renard has been thirsting for at their campaign at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
He now has it and for the Frenchman, the encounter provides him the perfect platform to prove to Ghanaians that he was better off than the ‘Physical trainer’ tag accorded him during his stint with the Black Stars four years ago.
Renard, who handled English side, Cambridge United (2004) and French lower side, AS Cherbourg (2005-2007) ‘strangely’ served the capacity of a ‘Physical trainer” during the reign of his compatriot and mentor, Claude Le Roy as Ghana's coach, in what passes for perhaps the ‘low point’ of his coaching career.
After an impressive campaign with the Chipolopolos at the tournament, the coach has the moment he has been crazing for in his career.
“This is the biggest game of my coaching career. I was with the Ghana squad as an assistant in 2008, and 80 percent of the current team were in that squad.
It will be a tough game as Ghana are the best team in Africa for the past three or four years,” the Frenchman told GNA Sports in Bata.
“I have a lot of respect for the Ghana team as they are the most consistent team in Africa. They are the favourites for the title. But at this stage, we won’t give up for anything.”
The confident-filled Frenchman is looking forward to playing at the final in Libreville on February 12.
“I have played once at the semi finals with Ghana in 2008. When you play at the semi final, your target is to reach the final and we are going to do that.” The 44-year old has also had stints with the Angolan national team and Algerian side, USM Algers since leaving Ghana in May 2008.
Meanwhile, Renard has said the Chipolopolo are not under any pressure going into the semi-final clash against Ghana today.
Both sides meet in the first semi-final match at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations at the Estadio de Bata.
Renard, a former Black Stars assistant during the 2008 Nations Cup where Ghana won bronze, says he is excited with the meeting against his former employers.
“We don’t have any pressure, we want to beat Ghana to get to the final,” said coach Herve Renard.
The Frenchman insists the Chipolopolo’s will give hundred percent to achieve their quest for a place in the finals although analysts have predicted a Ghana-Ivory Coast clash on Sunday.
“I’m very happy to play the semifinal of the African Cup. We are very proud to be there, we will play at 100 percent and try to give everything. We don’t want to give up or regret anything.
“Everybody expects an Ivory Coast-Ghana final and everybody thinks it will be a surprise if we get through. Everybody except us. We are not afraid of Ghana. We have a lot of respect for them.”
He now has it and for the Frenchman, the encounter provides him the perfect platform to prove to Ghanaians that he was better off than the ‘Physical trainer’ tag accorded him during his stint with the Black Stars four years ago.
Renard, who handled English side, Cambridge United (2004) and French lower side, AS Cherbourg (2005-2007) ‘strangely’ served the capacity of a ‘Physical trainer” during the reign of his compatriot and mentor, Claude Le Roy as Ghana's coach, in what passes for perhaps the ‘low point’ of his coaching career.
After an impressive campaign with the Chipolopolos at the tournament, the coach has the moment he has been crazing for in his career.
“This is the biggest game of my coaching career. I was with the Ghana squad as an assistant in 2008, and 80 percent of the current team were in that squad.
It will be a tough game as Ghana are the best team in Africa for the past three or four years,” the Frenchman told GNA Sports in Bata.
“I have a lot of respect for the Ghana team as they are the most consistent team in Africa. They are the favourites for the title. But at this stage, we won’t give up for anything.”
The confident-filled Frenchman is looking forward to playing at the final in Libreville on February 12.
“I have played once at the semi finals with Ghana in 2008. When you play at the semi final, your target is to reach the final and we are going to do that.” The 44-year old has also had stints with the Angolan national team and Algerian side, USM Algers since leaving Ghana in May 2008.
Meanwhile, Renard has said the Chipolopolo are not under any pressure going into the semi-final clash against Ghana today.
Both sides meet in the first semi-final match at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations at the Estadio de Bata.
Renard, a former Black Stars assistant during the 2008 Nations Cup where Ghana won bronze, says he is excited with the meeting against his former employers.
“We don’t have any pressure, we want to beat Ghana to get to the final,” said coach Herve Renard.
The Frenchman insists the Chipolopolo’s will give hundred percent to achieve their quest for a place in the finals although analysts have predicted a Ghana-Ivory Coast clash on Sunday.
“I’m very happy to play the semifinal of the African Cup. We are very proud to be there, we will play at 100 percent and try to give everything. We don’t want to give up or regret anything.
“Everybody expects an Ivory Coast-Ghana final and everybody thinks it will be a surprise if we get through. Everybody except us. We are not afraid of Ghana. We have a lot of respect for them.”
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