Zambia coach warns Nigeria as Chipolopolo clash with Eagles in AFCON group

Published on: 25 October 2012

Zambia have asked Nigeria to forget about winning Group C of the 2013 African Cup of Nations after the two countries were drawn in the same group.

Coach of the reigning African champions Herve Renard said that the Super Eagles cannot stop them from their ambition of retaining the title.

The Chipolopolo were drawn in Group C together with Nigeria, Burkina Fas and Ethiopia.

"We are very confident coming into the finals of the Africa Cup in South Africa in 2013 and we believe we can go very far and even win it," says African champion coach Herve Renard.

We are are happy to compete in the final of the 2013 Africa Cup. I know it will be a big success. We don't just need to be confident; we have to do in 2013 what we did in 2012."

"Our target from the group is to finish top and achieve the most important thing which is to reach the quarter final. After that, we can manage to go very far; as far as we can go," Renard said.

The Fox, as the 2012 Afcon winning coach is fondly called, said playing the Africa Cup in South Africa was good for Chipolopolo because it was "home".

"We are always coming to South Africa for preparations for the qualifiers of the Africa Cup and the World Cup. We are almost at home here, so we have to be confident," Renard said adding: "We are here and will be coming here to make history."

African champions Zambia commence the defence of their African title on 21st January 2013 against Ethiopia - a team that makes a return to the finals of Africa's biggest soccer show piece after a 31 year absence.

Chipolopolo then play Nigeria on the 25th before completing Group C games against Burkina Faso on 29th January. Zambia won her maiden Nations Cup title on 12 February 2012 after beating Ivory Coast in the final in Libreville, Gabon.

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