By Mubukwanu Kaingu
Patrice Beaumelle says his loyalties are evenly split between his two second homes Zambia and Ivory Coast as the team’s he will be supporting at 2023 AFCON.
Beaumelle was Herve Renard’s assistant when the French duo won the 2012 AFCON with Chipolopolo and in 2015 when they lifted the title with Ivory Coast.
The Frenchman later the head coaching roles for both national teams as Renard’s successor.
Beaumelle said in an interview from his base in Algeria that he has a deep emotional attachment for both Chi
polopolo and The Elephants and is backing both sides to advance to the last 16.
Ivory Coast is hosting the rescheduled 2023 AFCON from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
“The next AFCON in Ivory Coast will be fantastic, I mean, I spent so many years in Ivory Coast and it’s like Zambia my second home in Africa,” Beaumelle said.
“It (Ivory Coast) is the second place where I won the AFCON 2015 so I am quite happy to see the two countries that I share and love both in the next AFCON.”
Chipolopolo are in Group F where they will battle Morocco, DR Congo and Tanzania who will be based in the West African nations second port city of San Pedro.
The Elephants headline Group A as hosts where the two-time winners will face three-time champions Nigeria including Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau.
“Unfortunately I won’t be there but my heart will be in Ivory Coast and I can’t wait to watch this next AFCON because I believe it will be amazing,” Beaumelle said.
Beaumelle is currently in charge of Algerian league leaders MC Alger whom he joined in March.
