Facebook Feed

  • Skelemani mishandled Kgosi Mosadi Pan African Parliament furoreMarch 22, 2023
    Adam Phetlhe The ravaging inferno sparked by the purported resignation of Kgosi Mosadi Seboko from the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) is fuelled by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Phandu Skelemani mishandling the matter. Had he performed due diligence on […]
  • Ithuba to roll-out LottoMarch 22, 2023
    STAFF WRITERS editors@thepatriot.co.bw Ithuba Solutions Botswana is waiting with bated breath for an announcement on the issuance of a lottery license, by the Gambling Authority, following the successful conclusion of negotiations in December 2022, The Patriot on Sunday has […]
  • BDP rejects Living WageMarch 22, 2023
    BAKANG TIRO editors@thepatriot.co.bw Ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) MPs on Friday defeated the motion proposed by MP for Nkange constituency Dr Never Tshabang, proposing for government to introduce a living wage, which will be adjusted according to the cost […]
  • Uganda passes a law making it a crime to identify as LGBTQMarch 22, 2023
    Report by Elias Biryabarema Reuters Uganda’s parliament passed a law on Tuesday making it a crime to identify as LGBTQ, handing authorities broad powers to target gay Ugandans who already face legal discrimination and mob violence. More than 30 […]
  • Ian Khama to receive African Icon Award  March 22, 2023
    KT Press Former Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will headline other African greats who are set to be honoured at the maiden edition of The African Heritage Concert and Awards slated to hold in Kigali, Rwanda on April […]
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Register
Monday, March 27, 2023
17 °c
Gaborone
21 ° Tue
22 ° Wed
24 ° Thu
26 ° Fri
The Patriot On Sunday
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Sport
  • Analysis & Opinions
  • Vacancies & Tenders
No Result
View All Result
Cart / $0.00

No products in the cart.

  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Sport
  • Analysis & Opinions
  • Vacancies & Tenders
No Result
View All Result
The Patriot On Sunday
No Result
View All Result
Home Sport

Hervé Renard’s ‘lucky white shirt’ makes global entrance

patriot by patriot
November 23, 2022
in Sport
250 2
0
Hervé Renard’s ‘lucky white shirt’ makes global entrance

Hervé Renard (C)

491
SHARES
1.4k
VIEWS
ShareShareShare

BY MARC STRYDOM AND REUTERS

Saudi Arabia coach Hervé Renard’s “lucky white shirt” is well known across Africa.

The Frenchman’s legend as a coach on the continent saw him viewed as the equivalent of a sorcerer in African football when he won the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations with unfancied Zambia, then steered Ivory Coast’s previously underachieving golden generation to the 2015 title

On Tuesday, the white shirt and Renard’s abilities as a coaching magician made their global entrance, and then some.

Saudi Arabia were a goal behind to Lionel Messi’s penalty for Argentina going into the break of the teams’ 2022 Qatar World Cup Group C opening match at the packed 80,000-seat Lusail Stadium, and most global viewers were wondering where the South American giants’ next goal would come from.

The world forgot Renard’s Saudi Arabia, while the second-lowest ranked team in the competition, have dangerous forwards as Saleh al Shehri struck in the 48th minute and Salem Al Dawsari five minutes later.

The fired-up Saudis defended the lead like their lives depended on it for the rest of the half.

Renard and his white shirt had struck again as one of the tournament favourites were left reeling and in shock.

The coach has admitted he is superstitious, hence the trademark shirt.

“I won two Africa Cup of Nations on a white shirt, so you want me to change for what?” Renard once told Ghana’s TV3.

“During the penalty shoot-out for the 2015 Afcon final between Ivory Coast and Ghana we missed the first two but went ahead to win. So do you want me to wear a red shirt for the next Afcon I am in charge of a team. No. Not possible.

“Sometimes I am superstitious. That will never change.”

It remains to be seen if Saudi Arabia can maintain the intensity in their remaining group matches against Poland and Mexico. Their fans — including the many thousands who crossed the border to be in the stadium on Tuesday — will long celebrate their team’s stunning victory and Renard could quickly become a national hero.

Saudi Arabia had never previously won their first match at a World Cup, suffering a humiliating 8-0 defeat by Germany in 2002 and a 5-0 loss to Russia in 2018.

“When I decided to coach this team three years ago, I found all the support. We have a great federation president and also the ministry of sports,” Renard said after the victory.

“When we met with Prince [Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince]. He did not put any pressure on us, and this is wonderful. Being pressured does not work every time.” Renard is not only a fine technical coach but also a powerful motivator.

“We had a crazy coach who gave us instructions and motivated us strongly at half time,” Saudi Arabia midfielder Abdel-Ilah al-Maliki told Al-Kass TV.

“I swear to God I was crying and the coach motivated us and we wanted to start the match from the morning. I can’t describe what happened.”

Renard has called on Saudi fans for more support in his team’s remaining matches.

“Argentina are the champion of the Copa America and had not lost in the last 36 games, but you know what happens when a small team plays as we are neighbours of Qatar,” he said.

“This contributed to the presence of a large number of our fans in the stadium. We had to think about it and think about the 35-million Saudis who waited for this match.

Renard said he had stressed the importance of the game to his team.

“I told the players life will stop in Saudi Arabia today, and everyone will wait for this match. The number of fans was large, but I hope it will be even larger.”

[timeslive.co.za]

Related

Get real time update about this post categories directly on your device, subscribe now.

Unsubscribe
  • Skelemani mishandled Kgosi Mosadi Pan African Parliament furoreMarch 22, 2023
    Adam Phetlhe The ravaging inferno sparked by the purported resignation of Kgosi Mosadi Seboko from the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) is fuelled by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Phandu Skelemani mishandling the matter. Had he performed due diligence on […]
  • Ithuba to roll-out LottoMarch 22, 2023
    STAFF WRITERS editors@thepatriot.co.bw Ithuba Solutions Botswana is waiting with bated breath for an announcement on the issuance of a lottery license, by the Gambling Authority, following the successful conclusion of negotiations in December 2022, The Patriot on Sunday has […]
  • BDP rejects Living WageMarch 22, 2023
    BAKANG TIRO editors@thepatriot.co.bw Ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) MPs on Friday defeated the motion proposed by MP for Nkange constituency Dr Never Tshabang, proposing for government to introduce a living wage, which will be adjusted according to the cost […]
  • Uganda passes a law making it a crime to identify as LGBTQMarch 22, 2023
    Report by Elias Biryabarema Reuters Uganda’s parliament passed a law on Tuesday making it a crime to identify as LGBTQ, handing authorities broad powers to target gay Ugandans who already face legal discrimination and mob violence. More than 30 […]
  • Ian Khama to receive African Icon Award  March 22, 2023
    KT Press Former Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will headline other African greats who are set to be honoured at the maiden edition of The African Heritage Concert and Awards slated to hold in Kigali, Rwanda on April […]
The Patriot On Sunday

© 2022 Copyright The Patriot On Sunday - Inspired by Search Mart.

Navigate Site

  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact Us

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Cart
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Sport
  • Analysis & Opinions
  • Vacancies & Tenders

© 2022 Copyright The Patriot On Sunday - Inspired by Search Mart.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?