Underdog tag favours us - Zambian coach

Renard said when the tournament kicks off, focus will certainly not be on Chipolopolo but the likes of hosts, Bafana Bafana and Senegal.Speaking to Mmegi Sport in Durban soon after the AFCON draw last week, the Frenchman said being underdogs would work in their favour.

"The good thing is that we go into the tournament as underdogs," Renard said. He became Zambia's first coach to lead the country to victory in the 2012 AFCON final. The Zambians were regarded as underdogs going into the 2012 tournament co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. However, a surprising run, including victories over favourites Ghana and Ivory Coast in the semi final and final respectively, saw Chipolopolo lift the cup for the first time.