The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has hired Frenchman Herve Renaud to prepare the African nation’s team for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa. Renaud, whose task also involves taking Zambia to Angola for the 2010 African Cup of Nations, is expected to start work next Monday. The state-run Times of Zambia reported that Renaud was highly recommended for the post, and this his remuneration was in line with FAZ’s financial offer, which was rejected by other applicants for the job. Renaud was chosen after efforts to engage former German star Lothar Matheus and an unnamed Dutchman fell through. The Frenchman, who is currently assistant coach to Ghana trainer Claude Le Roy, will also help Zambia in the ongoing qualifiers for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) for locally-based players. Zambia is scheduled to take on Botswana next week in Lusaka in the CHAN second round, second leg. Botswana beat Zambia 1-0 in the first leg in Gaborone last weekend. Renaud replaces Zambian coach Patrick Phiri, whose contract expired in March.
