Zambia headed out to Rwanda this morning with Herve Renard declaring the onus was on the team in the battle to win the hearts and minds of a disenchanted nation.
Renard said he understood the fans feelings about the state of the national team especially after Egypt dispatched Zambia to a third successive 2010 Group C qualifying defeat in October.
And fans have further made their displeasure publicly known after a recent run of poor results culminating in the omission of Isaac Chansa including that of the Bundesliga wanderer Andrew Sinkala who both have made public statements about their relationships with the Frenchman.
“They (The fans) are very passionate especially after Egypt. They want results,” Renard said prior to leaving for Kigali with a 20-man squad on Thursday morning.
“Now we have to change their minds.”
And on his fallout with Sinkala, Renard said in his own understanding the midfielder has had issues even before he took charge of Zambia.
“The problem of Sinkala is not a problem with me. It should have been for him even before I came and after I leave,” Renard said.
However, Renard repeated his rallying call for unity ahead of the crucial game against Rwanda.
“I repeat, to go to battle with division, it is impossible to win even if you are good,” the Frenchman said.
Zambia, in 3rd place on 4 points from 5 games need a draw against bottom placed Rwanda on 1 point to safely qualify to the 2010 Africa Cup.
