Our preps and home game will be key for qualification - Renard
Herve Renard believes that the Chipolopolo will need to set the tone for qualification for 2013 Afcon in the first leg encounter of the final round of qualification against Uganda at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on September 9.
The coach contends that Zambia will qualify but that Uganda will be a tough opponent and should not be underrated.
He said regardless of ranking of its opposition, the kings of African football will remain focused and work hard so that the team can continue on its path of development.
Renard was speaking to journalists in Blantyre where he took the Zambia Development for Friday’s international against Malawi.
“The first leg of the game for qualification to the Africa Cup finals next year will determine our future. For us we must seize the opportunity to beat Uganda at Levy Stadium so that the return match in Kampala is not a match that decides who qualifies.”
“It will certainly not be an easy game because Uganda is a difficult team especially when they are playing at home. We know the progress Uganda has made recently. We also know them from the Cecafa Cup,” Renard said.
“We will do everything possible to qualify because we need to defend the title. Our confidence is in the preparations we will make.”
On Friday, FAZ President Kalusha Bwalya told fazfootball.com that the qualifier against Uganda will effectively begin Zambia’s Nations Cup title defence adding that they will prepare the Chipolopolo adequately.
“It was a tough draw. We didn’t expect anything less. As African champions, Zambia is the team to beat and all the teams across the continent will come to us with all they’ve got.”
The African kings were drawn against the Cranes in a ceremony in Johannesburg last Thursday. The winners of the 2012 Africa Cup will be at home in the first leg on Saturday 8th September and play away in Kampala in the return and final leg on Sunday 14 October.
The winner of the fixture joins hosts South Africa and the other victors from 14 other qualifiers for Africa’s biggest soccer bonanza next January. The 2013 Nations Cup finals kickoff on 19th January at Soccer City with the final match also scheduled for Johannesburg on 10th February.
