Herve Renard believes Democratic Republic of Congo boss Claude Le Roy is "the best coach in Africa", and hopes his Zambia side do not come up against the Leopards too early on at AFCON 2013. The two men previously worked together with Ghana at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations finals, with Renard an assistant to Le Roy as the Black Stars finished third. Renard now takes Chipolopolo to the 2013 showpiece in South Africa as defending champions, but the 44-year-old is still wary of Le Roy when it comes to his successful management of any football team. "It is better to meet him further in the competition. DRC is a very strong team with the best coach in Africa," Renard told Zambia's Daily Mail. Copper Bullets captain Chris Katongo, though, feels there are no sides his team-mates should fear as they look to successfully defend their African crown. "We are going to defend our title in South Africa," the Henan Jianye striker said. "We have faith in ourselves and we are going all the way to the finals of the Africa Cup. Until we are maybe beaten in the finals but our aim is to go all the way and retain the title, this is our time." The draw for the AFCON 2013 group stages will be made in Durban on October 24, with Zambia one of the four Pot 1 seeds, while the DR Congo are in Pot 4.