FAZ: New French soccer coach affordable

LUSAKA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) said here Wednesday they settled for Frenchman Herve Renaud as Zambia soccer coach out of the three short-listed candidates because he was affordable, according to Times of Zambia.

FAZ spokesperson Emmanuel Munaile said that the Frenchman was expected in Zambia next week for final negotiations before taking up the job.

Munaile said the association also wanted someone familiar with Africa, and Frenchman Renaud, who was Ghana's assistant to Blacl Stars trainer Claud Le Roy, was available.

"We were looking for someone with a point to prove, someone who understands African football and that's how we picked him. He is also appealing to us, the others we could't afford, as you know coaches don't come cheap and we are convinced this man will add value to our football," Munaile said.

Renard has coached French League One side, AS Cherbourg, clubs in China and Vietnam and played for the French Under-16 team during his youth, Cannes, AS Villauris and AS Draguignan.

Meanwhile, FAZ has also said the national senior team goes into residential camping this Sunday to prepare for the African NationsChampionship (CHAN) second round, second leg against Botswana in Lusaka next weekend.

Zambia lost 1-0 in the first leg last week and Munaile said the coaching staff headed by Peter Kaumba have assured a win.

Munalie said the association was on a campaign to expose as many players as possible through the CHAN series aimed at home-based players only.