Sunday’s win against Ivory Coast will be a memorable event in the minds of many Zambians. But Coach Herve Renard will have the sweetest of them all as Football Association of Zambia chairman Kalusha Bwalya gave him a second chance to coach the Chipolopolo. And for this, Renard has dedicated the win to the Zambian legend.
“He is the best Zambian player of the last century. He was criticized for giving me the second chance. I dedicate the victory to him because he gave me the opportunity to coach. I also thank Claude Le Roy for giving me my first experience in Africa as assistant coach in 2008 with Ghana,” said a flamboyant Renard while speaking to cafonline.
Incidentally, Kalusha escaped the April 28th 1993 plane crash in Gabon that killed the Zambian national team enroute to Senegal for the 1994 World Cup Qualifiers killing all on board as he travelled to Dakar from his European base.
Renard added that his side was destined to win the Africa Cup of Nations as they entered every game as underdogs.
“We wanted to honor the dead players and that strengthened us. Our first game was against Senegal and the team was on its way to Senegal for a match when the plane crashed. The plane crashed in Gabon and we won the final in Gabon. It is a sign of destiny,” lamented Renard.
This is the first time Zambia wins the Africa Cup of Nations.
Source cafonline
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