AFRICAN SPORTS MONTHLY
'Sports is our Business'
  • Home
  • NEWS
  • Radio
  • TV

Le Roy savoring Congo's historic campaign

1/24/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Veteran Congo coach Claude Le Roy is now savouring this Africa Cup of Nations with his team having put a tricky start firmly behind them.

Back at the continental finals for the first time in 15 years, Congo came from behind to draw 1-1 with hosts Equatorial Guinea in their opening match before a famous 1-0 win against Gabon on Wednesday. Their first victory at the finals since 1974 saw them close in on a place in the quarter-finals.

"It was very difficult for us the first few days here because we had to play against the local team, nothing was easy for us. But since we played Equatorial Guinea, everything has been simple - the bus is there, everything is there, everything is very simple," said Le Roy.

The Red Devils are living a dream, having only been reinstated into the tournament after Rwanda were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player.

The final? Please, the final is a long way off. We are talking about getting to the last eight first.

Claude Le Roy

In their final qualifying group, they looked set to miss out to Nigeria after a 2-0 defeat at home to the Super Eagles in November, but they squeezed through on the final day after winning in Sudan as Nigeria failed to get the home win they needed against South Africa.

"It's unbelievable," admitted the vastly experienced French coach, appearing at his eighth Cup of Nations. "We were in the same group as Nigeria. We created a huge surprise in Calabar (beating the African champions 3-2 on their own patch). But with this team, anything is possible. They like to work, they like to sing together."

Wednesday's 1-0 win over Gabon was Congo's first in the Nations Cup since they beat eventual champions Zaire 2-1 in Egypt 41 years ago. And the country's President Denis Sassou Nguesso was quick to send a message of congratulations to the team.

Le Roy's unheralded team are now top of Group A and need only a draw with Burkina Faso on Sunday in Ebebiyin to reach the knockout stage.  "We are first now and we dream to be first on Sunday evening, but we know it will be very, very tough against Burkina Faso," he admitted. "You know I'm not a coach who plays for a draw so we'll play and see what happens."

However, Le Roy had a message for any Congolese fans who may be getting carried away with dreams of reaching the final. "The final? Please, the final is a long way off. We are talking about getting to the last eight first."

By: FIFA.com
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    September 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013

    Menu

    All
    2014 FIFA World Cup
    Athletics
    Basketball
    Boxing
    Commonwealth Games
    Cricket
    Golf
    Hockey
    Marathons
    News
    Olympics
    Rugby
    Soccer
    Spotlight
    Tennis
    Track And Field
    Volleyball
    Women Soccer
    Wrestling


    Picture

    RSS Feed


    Tweets by ASMONTHLY

Tweet to @ASMONTHLY

Contact Us

    Contact Us

Submit

Donate & Support Our Efforts at African Sports Media Network