Il dit que la Federation a mis tous pour une bonne preparation pour ce match. Il a parale du jet prive, du camps en Afrique du Sud. Il ne se plaints pas.We will treat Sihlangu like Brazil – DRC coach
EZULWINI – DRC head coach, Claude Leroy, has vowed not to treat Sihlangu like minnows when they meet tonight at the Somhlolo National Stadium.
In an interview yesterday morning at Lugogo Sun, the French born mentor in his second spell with the gigantic Africa country said he will in fact treat Sihlangu like he would Brazil.
He was quick to state though that he does not know much about the Caleb Ngwenya assembled team, except to get information from Ghana.
"I know that you once beat Togo here with their top players present. It is my principle to respect every team and I want my players to play as if they are playing Brazil and in that way we will be able to achieve the maximum points," he said.
He further went on to state that his players are highly motivated as the Federation of Football in Congo has done everything possible to make sure that they are given first class treatment.
"They gave us a jet and immediately after the game we are going back so that we rest and prepare to face Swaziland again on Tuesday back home. We are from South Africa where we had a fantastic camp and therefore I am not complaining about anything. If we lose it will be my fault and if we win it will be an achievement for the players," said the coach.
On another note, he stated that there are seven international players in the squad to face Sihlangu tonight who are plying their trade in Belgium, France and German respectively. He noted, however, that there are great players in Congo who are playing overseas but they have been shunning the activities of the national team. "I need those players back and after the game on Tuesday I will be flying to Europe to speak to them one by one and try to convince them to come back and play for their country. Congo have great players and we are supposed to be rated among the five best football playing countries in Africa because of the good players we have," Leroy said.
DR Congo is currently ranked at number 35 in Africa and 133 in the world. Commenting about the condition of the pitch which has an artificial surface, he said his charges are used to playing in artificial turf back in Congo. "We are comfortable with the turf and if we lose we are not even going to complain about it because these boys are used to playing in a similar turf," he concluded.
The match kicks off at 7pm tonight.
Apres le match il va partir en Europe et parlais a tous les joueurs 'binationaux un par un. Il dit que la RDC a un potentiel qui est parmis les meilleurs d'Afrique.