BATA — Zambia coach Hervé Renard displayed a great deal of confidence following the Chipolopolo’s victory over favourites Senegal in the second game of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
Zambia took a two-goal lead in the match thanks to first-half strikes from Emanuel Mayuka and Rainford Kalaba.
Senegal scored a goal in the second half through Dame N’Doye, but it would prove to be nothing more than a consolation as Zambia held on for the win.
“We knew the opportunities to score were to play behind their backs, because they have very strong players in the air,” Zambia coach Renard said at a press conference.
“We did that to perfection in the first half.” When questioned about the result being a surprise to most people, the Chipolopolo gaffer snapped back with a confident reply that suggested he was expecting to win.
“It’s not a surprise for us. It’s only the result of a lot of hard work. We knew we were able to do that,” he said.
“And we were a bit lucky in the second half because they hit the post.”
Zambia will take on Libya in their second Group A match tomorrow.
