According to L’Équipe, the French Football Federation has declined the Ivorian federation’s plea to loan France Women coach Hervé Renard (55) for the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Following a shocking 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea in the second group stage game, Ivory Coast dismissed their coach, Jean-Louis Gasset.
They had hoped to bring back Renard, a specialist in AFCON, for the knockout stages. Ivory Coast managed to qualify as one of the top four third-placed teams, thanks to Morocco’s 1-0 victory over Zambia on Wednesday.
Renard, a Frenchman, is renowned for his success in Africa’s continental showpiece. He achieved victory in unlikely circumstances with Zambia in 2011 and then with Ivory Coast in 2015. In 2019, he guided Morocco to the round of 16, only to lose on penalties to Benin.
Unsurprisingly, the French Football Federation turned down the request, leaving Ivory Coast to search for an interim coach elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Morocco did a great favour to Ivory Coast by defeating Zambia and securing their spot in the Africa Cup of Nations last 16. Zambia needed a point in their final Group F match to prevent the hosts from qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams.
However, Hakim Ziyech’s close-range goal sent Zambia home, allowed Ivory Coast to advance, and helped Morocco top the group. In the knockout stages, the Atlas Lions will face South Africa on Tuesday.
On the other hand, Ivory Coast, who had a disappointing performance in the group stage and even sacked their manager, Jean-Louis Gasset, will face Senegal in an exciting last-16 match on Monday.
The Elephants are indebted to Walid Regragui’s team for granting them a last-minute reprieve and adding another thrilling twist to the captivating and unpredictable group stage games.
