Côte d’Ivoire Suffer Shocking Defeat to DR Congo, Hervé Renard Calls for Patience
In a surprising turn of events, Côte d’Ivoire’s hopes of securing a strong position in the 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifiers were dealt a blow on Wednesday, as they were defeated 4-3 at home by DR Congo. The result came just days after the Ivorians had triumphed 2-1 in Kinshasa on the third day of qualifiers, leaving many to question how such a dramatic reversal could happen.
Hervé Renard, recently appointed as head coach of the Elephants, was candid in his assessment of the game, acknowledging the defensive lapses that led to the loss. “We were lucky enough to get back to 3-3, but on another cross, we conceded a goal and suffered a defeat,” Renard said post-match. “You don’t need to be a great analyst to know what’s wrong. We still have to work and find the right combinations.”
Renard, who guided Zambia to African Cup of Nations glory in 2012, is well aware of the challenges ahead as he takes the reins of a squad full of talent but also with defensive vulnerabilities. Despite the setback, he remained calm and composed, urging both his team and the Ivorian public not to lose sight of the bigger picture.
“The priority is qualification. We have to hold on, given that there are difficult periods and this is one of them,” Renard emphasized. “We must not spread ourselves too thin because the most important thing is qualification.”
Renard’s resolve will be tested in the coming months, as he looks to strengthen his team’s defensive cohesion and lead the Ivorians to the 2015 African Cup of Nations. With crucial matches on the horizon, the Elephants will need to bounce back quickly if they are to maintain their hopes of qualification.
