Renard gets backing from Zambian President

Zambia’s head coach Herve Renard will keep his job after getting the backed of the Head of State himself Rupiah Banda. Zambia are Rwanda’s group C opponents for the 2010 World and Africa Cup qualifying round and President Banda told Zambia media that he will do everything with his powers to keep Renard. After guiding the Chipolopolo to a third-place finish at the recent African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Ivory Coast, the French-born Renard claimed that he had received offers from Senegal and Ivorian club Asec Mimosas. It is understood that even Mali are keen on hiring the French coach. Renard’s future is uncertain after sponsors Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) stopped paying his salary. But Zambian President Banda has intervened and expressed his personal desire to keep Renard. “Like a jealous husband, we shall defend our coach with all the means at our disposal,” he said at a dinner for the team at State House. “We would like him to complete what he has started and it wouldn’t be wise for him to go and start elsewhere when he has gone so far. “We are going to do everything to keep you (referring to Renard) here so that you complete your work,” he said. Zambia’s achievement at the CHAN was their best finish in a major tournament since finishing third at the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations finals. Banda warned countries and clubs wanting Renard’s services that Zambia would not let go easily. “Where were you when we found him?” he joked. “He’s our own. We are going to do everything to keep you here so that you complete your work.” However, the French man has confirmed that he will not renew his contract when it expires in June 2010. Zambia is drawn alongside Algeria, Egypt and Rwanda in Group C of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. Ends

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Renard gets backing from Zambian President