‘Die another day’: Herve Renard urges Dede to return stronger


Ivory Coast coach, Herve Renard understands the pain of Andre Ayew following the Marseille frward’s inconsolable shedding of tears in the wake of Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations final defeat in Equatorial Guinea on Sunday night.

The son of Abedi Pele cried his heart out after 35 year old goalkeeper, Boubacar Barry converted the decisive kick in a marathon shootout to hand Ivory Coast a first continental title in 23 years and condemn Ghana to a much longer wait for a trophy the 4-time champions last won in 1982.

But Herve Renard who was working with the Ghana national team when Ayew was made his international debut in 2007, is urging the now 25 year old playmaker to take consolation in the fact that there could always be another opportunity to right the wrongs of February 8, 2015 in Bata.

“It’s not easy to lose like this, I share the pain of Ayew. He did so well in this tournament and it’s sad for him to lose this way, I understand but he must take heart and return stronger,” Renard told Supersport live from Estadio de Bata.

Renard who made history by becoming the first man to coach two different countries to success in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations, urged Ayew to learn from certain stalwarts of the Ivorian team who also endured tournament heartbreaks in the past.

“Some big players like Yaya Toure, Kolo Toure and many other Ivory Coast players, they lost two finals (in 2006 and 2012) but they never gave up. You have to be strong and come back, and hopefully you will win it next time,” the Frenchman added.

Black Stars coach, Avram Grant who lost a second final on penalties following Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester United in the 2008 UEFA Champions’ League decider, also expressed sorrow for Dede but is confident the youngster and the entire Team Ghana will return stronger in the future.

“It’s very sad to lose this way and I feel for my players because they played so very well in this tournament. Nobody gave us a chance but we scored the most goals and conceded the least, even today we were the better team,” Grant said post match.

“I am so proud of my players, they are very young and are certainly a team for the future,” the Israeli coach affirmed. Follow @thedonplato

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