DR Congo coach praises Ghana's Appiah before Nations Cup game

Mahmoud Elassal, Sunday 28 Oct 2012

Claude Leroy says he 'admires' former assistant and current Ghana coach Akwasi Appiah in advance of 20 January African Cup clash

Claude Leroy
Ghana's former coach Claude Leroy (Photo: Reuters)

Democratic Republic of Congo's French coach Claude Leroy voiced pleasure that his team was slated to play against Ghana on 20 January in Group B of the 2013 African Cup of Nations championship.

The 64-year-old French tactician said he had "admired" Ghana coach Akwasi Appiah since the latter had served as his assistant during his time with the Black Stars from 2006 to 2008.

"Appiah is a gentleman; he was my assistant and I'm very happy to meet him any day," Leroy was quoted as saying by Ghanasoccernet on Sunday.

Leroy – a former Cameroon and Senegal coach – served as Ghana coach for two years, during which he led the Black Stars to a bronze medal in the 2008 Nations Cup hosted on home soil.

Ghana qualified for next year's championship after beating Malawi 1-0 in the second leg of the finals, going through with a 3-0 aggregate win.

The four-time African champions were drawn in Group B of the 2013 African Cup of Nations, alongside DR Congo, Mali and Niger.

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