DIANA MUTAKAFIMBO, Lusaka
NATIONAL team coach Honour Janza has tipped Ivory Coast to win the Africa Cup of Nations.
Janza said in Lusaka yesterday that the Herve Renard-tutored side has all it takes to win this year’s championship.
Yaya Toure-led Ivory Coast thrashed Democratic Republic of Congo 3-1 in the first semi-final clash on Wednesday night.
“For me, I don’t see any team that can stop Ivory Coast from winning this year’s title. The cup is in their hands and no one can stop them now,” Janza said.
He said the difference between the Ivory Coast of 2012 and the current squad is that the Ivorians are now more united.
The Chipolopolo trainer, who was Renard’s assistant when Zambia conquered Africa, said the Frenchman has inculcated a spirit of unity in the team.
He said the 2012 and 2013 Ivorian squads lacked team spirit.
“He is holding the team as one. They were playing individual football then but they are playing as a team now. They look more organised this time and that’s what is unique about the 2015 Ivory Coast squad,” Janza said.
Ivory Coast will face either Equatorial Guinea or Gabon, who locked horns last night.
Janza’s Chipolopolo were kicked out in the group stage.