Renard Eyes Redemption as Ivory Coast Prepare for Crucial Double Clash with DR Congo
By BBC News Staff
Ivory Coast head coach Hervé Renard has called for composure and resilience as the Elephants gear up for a crucial double-header against the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The Ivorians travel to Kinshasa on 11 October for the third round of Group D qualifying, before hosting the return leg in Abidjan just four days later, on 15 October. With the stakes high, Renard insists the priority is to secure valuable points—especially after last month’s humbling 4-1 defeat to Cameroon in Yaoundé.
Speaking to the official website of the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF), the French tactician emphasized the importance of remaining solid away from home.
“One thing is important, and that is to finish among the top two in the group at the end of this mini-championship,” Renard said.
“Certainly, we are not going to produce extraordinary football, even in the next two matches. But we must be solid in the DRC, because we will be expected to do well there. In the return match, we must make a clean sweep against DR Congo—but above all, we must bring something back from Kinshasa.”
The Elephants, led by established names such as Yaya Touré and Gervinho, have had a stuttering start to their qualifying campaign. The defeat to Cameroon raised fresh questions about the team’s defensive organisation and overall cohesion.
Renard, a former Zambia coach who guided the Chipolopolo to a historic AFCON title in 2012, is keen to avoid another setback that could derail Ivory Coast’s campaign. Only the top two teams in each group are guaranteed a place at the finals in Morocco this January, making every point in this home-and-away series critical.
With pressure mounting from both fans and media, the double clash against the Leopards may well determine the trajectory of Renard’s tenure and the Elephants’ quest for continental glory.
