Zambia’s performance in Group A should not surprise anyone said Herve Renard as Zambia headed into this Saturdays quarterfinals unbeaten.
Renard’s team, with two wins and one draw from Group A, handed Equatorial Guinea their first defeat at the Africa Cup via a 1-0 win in both sides final group game in Malabo on Sunday evening.
A lone goal from Chris Katongo in the 67th minute settled this duel between Zambia and Equatorial Guinea to see both sides secure their last eight passages.
Renard said he was pleased to have finished top of Group A to see Zambia secure their second consecutive quarterfinal appearance since the 2010 tournament in Angola.
“Maybe it is surprise to some people but it wasn’t a surprise to us,” Renard said at the post-match press conference in Malabo.
“We came to finish first but it was a difficult target. Now we have to concentrate because absolutely Zambia deserves to go to the semifinals for the first since 1996.”
The team finished top on 7 points, Equatorial Guinea are second on 6 points while Libya and Senegal have been eliminated on 4 and zero points respectively.
Zambia will travel back to Bata on Tuesday afternoon ahead of Saturday’s quarterfinal tie against the runner-up from Group B which will be decided on Monday night.
Group A leaders Cote d’Ivoire will take on Angola who are second in their group in a battle for first and second place in Malabo.
The 1992 champions have six points from two games while Angola has four with a draw tonight enough to see them finish first and second respectively.
to me its quite a surprise mwandi!
Can some one explain why herve renard was shouting one of the technical bench members in front of the camera during the game aganist equatorial guinea. That was embarassing and unacceptable.
because the technical man was taking time to substitute a person; secondly, passion for the game from the coach; if he lost, he takes the blame, and the chopping board; so i can understand his reaction, can you?
French Culture is very direct. You should allow this man to do his Job and do not forget that he is a Frenchman. they do not bit about the bush.
like i have been saying, this team is unpredictable, dont be suprised if they lift the cup at the end of the day. as for renard, this guy is basking in someones toil and sweat. that man is pat p. zambian coaches moulded and natured most of these players and deserve credit, not this gold digger.
MAYBE YOU SHOULD TAKE PATRICK PHIRI TO YOU NEXT AFRICA CUP…ZAMBIANS SHOULD LEARN TO SAY THANKYOU THE MAN MADE A MISTAKE OBVIOUSLY BY LEAVING BUT LETS NOT CONFUSE OURSELVES AND THINK HES OUR RELATIVE OR THAT HES ZAMBIAN..FOR HIM ITS A JOB AND HE GOT OFFERED MORE MONEY BY ANOTHER COMPANY AND HE ACCEPTED
but zambia never lost many games during preparation and the coach said watch us but others as usual with too much PHD in their heads wanted the man to fail
Number 2
It seems that the team manager forgot something in the dressing room! That’s why the HR was shouting at him!
If you check on BBC we are getting support from all over. South Africa, Namibia but what surprised me is one Afghanistan national rallying behind Chipolopolo.
I hear it is possible for Ivory Coast to lose deliverately so that they become number 2 and avoid Eq G so that they play Zambia. Game of mathematics. While we struggled to be on top to avoid them, they will also struggle to lose to Angola to play us
At number 5, are you sure or you are just speculating. Thanks for your response anyway. Much appreciated.
HR is watching the Angola-CIV game. Take note, will meet one of these guys. But most of the CIV players are not there. All the best Chipolopolo!
“Group A leaders Cote d’Ivoire will take on Angola who are second in their group in a battle for first and second place in Malabo.”
Isn’t Zambia the group A leader ? ichisungu ba LT
So far Sudan may qualify as the are leading by a goal BF while Angola is down by 2 goals.
Trick situation.Two minutes left CIV 2 Angola 0, Sudan 2 BFA 0
Tukateya na Sudan! Zambia, yaya. Boys prepare well! This is our chance to reach the semis. All the best! Zambia twaya!
What a change of events at AFCON, Now Zambia will play Sudan, Angola is out after suffering 2-0 to Ivory coast and sudan pull an upset on Burkinafaso beating them 2-1. Its now a great advantage for Zambia to play Sudan in quarter final
The Afcon 2012 is comming to Lusaka Zambia for the very first time ,all to the Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ and to authenticate that God has appointed the Govenment of the day to be in power at such a time. Further more the efforts of one of Zambia’s son and football icon Great Kalu are to come to pass not during his time but to this generation when he heads the Football association itself.
Its our time its our year.
SShhiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiDont!!!