African Cup of Nations - Renard hails Zambian spirit after Cup success
Coach Herve Renard hailed the spirit of his Zambian side after their unexpected African Nations Cup success on Sunday.
Zambia beat Ivory Coast 8-7 in a drama-filled penalty shootout following a 0-0 draw to win the Cup for the first time.
Stoppila Sunzu converted the winning kick in a long and nervy shootout that totalled 18 kicks.
The 43-year-old Frenchman, who has only been a senior coach for four years, said he evoked the memory of the 18 Zambia players who died in an air crash in Gabon in 1993 to spur on his side during the tournament co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
"They found the strength, I don't know where," he said fighting back the tears. "There is something written somewhere.
It just felt right but it was not because of me, I don't know where it came from.
"We were talking about it right from the time we started our preparations on December 28.
"I told them if we got to the final we would play in Gabon where the plane crashed and our first match was against Senegal, where the team was headed to play. There was a special significance in that."
Zambia had gone into the game as underdogs but won over the 40,000 crowd in the Friendship Stadium in the Gabon capital with their positive play against a surprisingly timid Ivorian side.
"My players were magnificent," said Renard. "We were not the best but we had a force that has made us African champions.
"They might make some tactical mistakes here and there but you can see the talent."
Comment 1 - 12 of 12
Indeed, the chipolopolo has fought a good fight,and it really showed ,Well done my determined young men for making your county so proud.
It is a touching story and perhaps Zambia had a little bit of something special on their side. God, Spirits, Luck, whatever, something was looking out for them and it was their destiny to be champions. Congratulations to Zambia.
You all have said it ALL. Rest in PEACE our Brothers who perished in Line of Duty. Your Brothers have come to Finish the Job that You had intended to accomplish. ie. To Conquer Africa during 2012 Cup of Nations in GABON.
What an assignment, what a BRAVE TEAM YOU WERE. No Longer the under Dogs But the UPPER Dogs. Am Proud of you ...Chipo-Lo-Po-Looooo!!
Felicitations and Good wishes to the people of Zambia.Your victory was well deserved.
Much love from Nigeria.
The Almighty God provided The strength for team! They believed In Him and The Lord came through for them. So Blessed Be The Name of The Lord! Well done boys! Every Zambian is proud of YOU ALL!!!! Keep the humilty and kindness we saw in the game! Absolutely EXCELLENT!!! Look forward to the WORLD CUP!!!
19yrs ago,Africa mourned with you.Today Africa rejoices with you.BRAVO !!! CHIPOLOPOLO
We thank God for honouring us this year. We are being celebrated by many. We have been celebrating others and now it is our turn to be celebrated. God has announced us. Go Zam,bia Go!!!!
you are winner from begining.congratulations
no one can ever take it away from us. we are champions of africa. the copper bullets you have made us proud. one zambia one nation. copper bullets always kill elephants. Its a wonderfull feeling.
Wen we say Chipolopolo boys r the copper bullets,take us seriously.I hope Mamadou Gaye and Daniel Amokachi did watch the match last night.Drogba who?It's Sunzu!!!
Up chipolopolo of zzzzzzzambia
Indeed Zambia had a date with destiny & they duly delivered!.Congratulations,makorokoto ,amphlope to the Chipolopolo boys 4 finally becoming African Champions.The whole of Southern Africa is extremely proud of your wonderful achievement.Congratulations too to King Kausha Bwalya &the French gaffer Herve Renard.Indeed mighty Zambia drew alot of inspiratiion from the gallant departed footballers who perished on the Gabonese Atlantic coast in 1993 namely Efford Chibala,Derby Mankinka ,Eston Mulenga just to name a few !
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