Our target is Nations Cup- Renard

Group C Fixtures: March 28Egypt      v   ZambiaRwanda  v   Algeria June 6Algeria    v   EgyptZambia   v   Rwanda

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Group C Fixtures:

March 28
Egypt      v   Zambia
Rwanda  v   Algeria

June 6
Algeria    v   Egypt
Zambia   v   Rwanda

June 20
Egypt     v    Rwanda
Zambia   v   Algeria

September 05
Rwanda  v   Egypt
Algeria    v   Zambia

October 10
Zambia   v    Egypt
Algeria    v    Rwanda

November 11
Rwanda  v   Zambia
Egypt      v   Algeria

Zambia’s French coach Herve Renard has ruled out his team Chipolopolo making it to 2010 World Cup finals due in South Africa.
Renard speaking to Standard.net said that Zambia’s target is to qualify for the Nations’ Cup finals set to be held in Angola.
"We have to qualify for the Nations Cup. That is our target. As for the World Cup, we are not there yet,” he said.
The Frenchman believes he is the one to resurrect the fortunes of a team that showed much promise in the past including reaching two Africa Cup of Nations finals.
Renard added that his first step in reviving ‘Chipolopolo’s’ lost glory is helping them qualify for next year’s Africa Cup of Nation finals in Angola as he also seeks to emulate his mentor former Black Stars coach Claude LeRoy.
Renard is leading Zambia to the regional Senior Challenge Cup in Uganda. They are appearing as guests after Eritrea pulled out due to political instability.
Renard was LeRoy’s assistant when the former handled Ghana’s Black Stars during last year’s Nations Cup finals in Ghana and he hopes to emulate the fellow Frenchman who has had six Nations Cup appearances with different African teams.
"We worked with LeRoy in China, France and, lately, in Ghana. He is my father and I want to emulate him,” said Renard.
But Renard says it won’t be easy for Zambia to make it to the Nations Cup considering their group. Zambia is in the same group with African champions Egypt, Algeria and Rwanda.
"Rwanda finished top of their group in the second round, Egypt are the African champions and Algeria are vastly experienced. It will not be easy for us,” he said.
Zambia opens the third round qualification campaign away to Egypt on March 28 while Rwanda will host Algeria in Kigali on the same date.
Both countries are expected to face-off each other on June 6 as Egypt will play away to Algeria on the same date.

Ends