Renard Focused on Peak Preparation as Ivory Coast Train in UAE
Ivory Coast head coach Hervé Renard says his side’s preparations for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations are progressing well, as the team continues its training camp in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
With just under two weeks until the Elephants open their Group D campaign against Guinea on 20 January, Renard is placing strong emphasis on physical and tactical readiness at exactly the right moment.
“The preparation is structured around our first match. We are now 14 days away,” Renard told StarAfrica. “The friendly matches scheduled for January 11 and 15 will be part of our intensive work phase. They are not just games — they are vital opportunities to refine our tactical organisation and collective understanding.”
The Frenchman, who famously led Zambia to a historic AFCON title in 2012, said the team began training with high intensity and praised the players for their response.
“The week of January 5 to 12 will be our most intense. We started strong and the players have reacted well — they are committed and engaged.”
However, Renard made it clear that his primary goal is to ensure his team peaks precisely on matchday.
“The most important thing is to be ready on the day — not before, not after,” he said. “Being ready too early is pointless, and being ready too late is disastrous. We need to be mentally, physically and tactically at our best on January 20, when we face Guinea.”
Ivory Coast have been drawn into a challenging Group D, alongside Guinea, Mali, and Cameroon. With a squad boasting the likes of Yaya Touré, Gervinho, and Wilfried Bony, the Elephants are considered among the favourites for the title — but will need to find form quickly to navigate the competition’s early stages.
The two friendlies scheduled during their UAE camp are expected to be the final tests before Renard selects his starting eleven for the tournament opener.
