2015 AFRICA CUP - CONGO - COACH LEROY BELIEVES THAT ONIANGUE CAN INSPIRE THE TEAM

Coach Claude LeRoy believes that Congo midfielder Prince Oniangue can lead the country to at least the last-eight at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

17 Dec 2014
2015 AFRICA CUP - ALGERIA - MEHDI ABEID IN SQUAD

The uncapped 22-year-old is one of five changes to the 23-man World Cup squad.

16 Dec 2014
NATIONAL TEAM - SOUTH AFRICA - RANTIE’S PROSPECTS ARE BRIGHTER

Bournemouth are optimistic South Africa striker Tokelo Rantie will return from injury in time to play in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

13 Dec 2014
NATIONAL TEAM - MALI - YATABARE BELIEVES MALI CAN WIN NATIONS CUP

Mali midfielder Sambou Yatabare believes his country are capable of winning the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

13 Dec 2014
NATIONAL TEAM - NIGERIA - FUTURE OF NIGERIAN FOOTBALL

Sunday Oliseh fears for future of Nigerian football

8 Dec 2014
NATIONAL TEAM - CONGO DR - KIDIABA TO END INTERNATIONAL CAREER AFTER 2015 NATIONS CUP

Democratic Republic of Congo goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba has revealed he will retire from international duty after the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

7 Dec 2014
NATIONAL TEAM - GHANA - COACHES - GRANT MAY RECALL BANNED DUO BOATENG AND MUNTARI

Both are suspended indefinitely for gross misconduct while on duty with Ghana at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

5 Dec 2014
NATIONAL TEAM - LIBERIA - NEW COACH DEBBAH PROMISES DISCIPLINE

Newly-appointed Liberia coach James 'Salinsa' Debbah says he wants the Lone Star squad to change their attitude and approach under his guidance.

24 Nov 2014
NATIONAL TEAM - NIGERIA - COACH KESHI URGED TO 'WALK AWAY'

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has been urged not to try to stay in the job after failing to qualify the team for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

23 Nov 2014
NATIONAL TEAM - EGYPT - GHARIB SACKED AS COACH

Shawky Gharib sacked by Egypt after Nations Cup failure

21 Nov 2014

2015 AFRICA CUP - CONGO - COACH LEROY BELIEVES THAT ONIANGUE CAN INSPIRE THE TEAM

AFRICA CUP 2015 GROUP A

Frenchman LeRoy has coached four different teams at seven editions of the tournament, winning the competition in 1998 with Cameroon.

And Oniangue feels LeRoy will inspire them in Equatorial Guinea.

"Most times he gets to the quarter-finals at least, so we can work knowing that target is very possible," he said.

LeRoy's Nations Cup record as coach
1986 - Runner-up with Cameroon
1988 - Winner with Cameroon
1990 - Semi-finalist with Senegal
1992 - Quarter-finalist with Senegal
2006 - Quarter-finalist with DR Congo
2008 - Third place with Ghana
2013 - Group stage with DR Congo

The 26-year-old Oniangue, who plays his club football in France for Reims, told BBC Sport he is confident LeRoy's knowledge of the tournament will help propel the team out of a group that contains the hosts, Burkina Faso and Gabon.

"Having a coach like Claude LeRoy helps a lot. 

He's going for his eight Nations Cup appearance and that brings a lot to the team," Oniangue added.

Congo enjoyed their heyday in the 1970s, when the Red Devils beat Mali 3:2 in the final of the 1972 tournament.

Two years later, the holders took eventual finalists Zambia to extra-time in the semi-finals before losing 4:2.

Congo have failed to reach a Nations Cup semi-final since but Oniangue, who scored against Nigeria and Sudan during the qualifiers, said: "I think everything is possible.

"We will play the opening game and do the maximum to reach the quarter-finals.

"We have to take it match after match. 

The minimum will be to reach the quarter-final, no one expect us to be there so maybe we can shock people again.

"Congo has a young generation, a lot of people did not give us a chance in Nigeria but we won there.

"As players we believe in ourselves and in our coach we have a man with big experience, so I know we can surprise everybody again in Equatorial Guinea."

The tournament will be played between 17 January and 8 February.

 

17 Dec 2014
(BBC Sport by Oluwashina Okeleji)

Related countries

Related articles