Congo game more than a derby - Ibenge

 

 


Congo game more than a derby - Ibenge

Coach of the DR Congo national team Florent Ibenge says facing Congo in the Afcon 2015 quarterfinals is more than just a derby.

Ibenge's DR Congo qualified for the Nations Cup finals as the best third placed team during the Qualifiers and would not have been a favourite to reach the knockouts in Equatorial Guinea, but they did.

“We are reaching the quarters with difficulty, exactly like during the qualifiers when we were the 16th team to qualify. Everybody was expecting us to be the first to leave Afcon and we are in the top 8, we are still there," the coach said.

Asked about facing neighbours Congo, who have surprised everybody by winning Group A under the leadership of Claude le Roy, Ibenge said: “Congo are a mighty opponent with a more than experienced coach.

"We hope not to suffer the same scenario where we concede first and have to react.

"We want to act first. It will be more than a derby, it will be a family match which is going to be very tight, and we hope that it will be even tighter for them.”

Mweene rules out Zambia retirement

Zambia number one Kennedy Mweene has disclosed that international retirement is not part of his his plans.

The 30-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper has just completed his sixth Africa Cup tour of duty following Zambia's first round exit from the 2015 Afcon currently taking place in Equatorial Guinea.

Mweene hinted that he was looking forward to a seventh successive Africa Cup appearance in 2017 and also leading Zambia in the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

"I am just 30, unless my legs can not take it any more," Mweene said.

"I still have the energy and I am still available for the national team anytime, any day."

Mweene has been Zambia's number one since Chipolopolo beat Bafana Bafana 1-0 in their final group game at the 2006 Africa Cup in Egypt when he replaced George Kolala.

Meanwhile, Mweene said he was disappointed with another group stage exit for Zambia coming on the back of their 2013 preliminary phase elimination when they failed to defend their 2012 crown.

"I think as a player I am very disappointed by not going through to the quarterfinals," Mweene said.

Mweene and Zambia now switch their attention to the 2017 Africa Cup qualifiers that kick-off in June.