Sports News of Monday, 9 February 2015

Source: ghanasoccernet.com

AFCON 2015: Ghana may be lucky next time – Herve Renard

Herve Renard consoled Ghana players by saying they would win the next final they play in after his Ivory Coast side triumphed on penalties to win the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Frenchman was in-charge and helped the Elephants put behind them the disappointment of losing in two finals to win their second title after a dramatic 9-8 penalty shoot-out win over Ghana.

The win makes the former Sochaux trainer the first coach to win the Africa Cup of Nations with two different countries after his 2012 triumph with Zambia over Ivory Coast.

The defeat also means the Black Stars have lost three finals since their triumph in 1982.

But Renard is tipping Ghana, a side he handled as physical trainer during the reign of Claude Le Roy for the 2008 Nations Cup, to rediscover the winning touch in their next final.

“Ghana is a good side and I have had the privilege of working with some of them and I think they will bounce back,” he said.

“This is their second defeat in the final since 2010 while this would have been our third so they may be lucky the next one they are in next time.

“For me I can say I am a lucky church who had the pleasure of working with extra-ordinary group of players.”