Two-time Africa Cup of Nations-winning coach, Hervé Renard has confessed his second title triumph was a stroke of luck.
The Frenchman – who had previously beaten the odds to win the title with Zambia in 2012 – repeated the magic in 2015 when Cote d’Ivoire beat Ghana to the ultimate African continental silverware after a penalty shootout in Equatorial Guinea.
“The better side”
The Black Stars had the better of the Ivorians during regulation time, with the tournament’s best player Christian Atsu hitting the post and team-mate Andre Ayew doing the same. With a final nil-nil score, however, the finale had to be decided by spot-kicks.
The Elephants missed their first two kicks but recovered to beat Avram Grant’s side 9-8 on penalties.
“The Afcon final in 2015 between Ivory Coast and Ghana, I had never watched that game since.
“I only got to watch the game some three weeks ago and I think Ghana was the better side.
“Ghana played better and I think we (Cote d’Ivoire) were a bit lucky,” Renard, who now manages the Saudi Arabia national team, told Ghana’s TV3.
Unfinished business
The Africa Cup of Nations trophy has eluded four-time winners Ghana since their last success at the 1982 finals. The Black Stars have since come very close to the title three times, losing in the finals of the 1992, 2010 and 2015 tournaments.
Renard, who enjoyed his first stint on the African continent as a physical trainer for Ghana under veteran coach Claude Le Roy during the 2008 Afcon, hinted at a return “one day” as the main boss.
“Yes, I have to come back one day to help one country to win. That country hasn’t won it for a longer time – and that is your country, Ghana. I will love to win this feat with the Black Stars,” he said.
