Posted On Wednesday, 31st July 2013
Renard Herve
Zambia coach Herve Renard says credit should be given to his Ghana counterpart Kwesi Appiah for coaching one of the most demanding teams in Africa, in the latest mind game by the Frenchman ahead of September clash between the two sides.
The Black Stars will host the Chipolopolo in a crucial World Cup qualifier in Kumasi to decide which side to reach the final phase of the qualifier.
But the Zambia coach has embarked on a psychological warfare since Ghana took over the top spot in Group D even though FIFA gave the Chipolopolo three board points in the qualifiers.
In his latest bid to get the Ghana coach to take his eyes off the bal, the Zambia coach is heaping a lot of praise for his ex-Blacks Stars bench mate and current Ghana coach as their September 6 showdown in Kumasi looms.
Renard and Appiah worked together as part of ex-Ghana coach Claude Le Roy’s bench from 2007 to 2008.
“I was at the same level with him I was not above him and he was not above me,” Renard said even though while he was the physical trainer, Appiah was the assistant coach of the Black Stars.
“Everyone had his part we were just assistants of the big coach Claude Le Roy.”
The two coaches meet in early September in a 2014 FIFA World Cup Group D qualifying decider.
“To manage a squad like the Black Stars is a tough job,” Renard said.
“We have to congratulate him for now but I hope we don’t congratulate him after September 7.”
Zambia must beat Ghana on September 6 to advance to the final play-off qualifying round of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
Ghana leads Group D on 12 points, one more than Zambia heading in the sixth and final pool game.
Meanwhile, Zambia won the first leg 1-0 on June 9, 2012 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.