DR Congo coach refuses to accept under-dog tag at 2013 AFCON

Published on: 30 November 2012

DR Congo coach Claude Leroy has rejected the ‘under-dog’ tag given his team for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Leopards are drawn in Group B alongside four-time champions Ghana, Mali and Niger for the tournament that kicks off on January 19 in South Africa.

Many have predicted a first round exit for Leroy’s team with the Black Stars and Mali the more preferred choice to get out of the group which will be based in Port Elizabeth.

But the Frenchman wants to hear nothing of DR Congo being the dark horse of the tournament.

"Please, please, please," he said when asked about his side's chances in Group B.

"We were ranked 129 when I took over, now we have just broken into the top 100. We're in a group with Ghana and Mali.

“If we qualify for the second round it will be the beginning of a beautiful dream.

“If you are looking for favourites and dark horses, you have to look elsewhere."

The Congolese begin their campaign with a tough group opener against Ghana on January 20 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Source: MTNFootball.com

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