Renard appointed as new Morocco coach
Morocco have appointed two-time CAF Africa Cup of Nations-winning coach Herve Renard to lead the side, replacing Badou Zaki in the Atlas Lions’ hot-seat.
After an unsuccessful spell at Lille, where the Frenchman spent six months before being sacked in November 2015, Renard returns to Africa – the scene of his greatest successes. The north Africans will be the fourth national team from the continent the 47-year-old has taken charge of, having also coached Zambia, Angola and Côte d'Ivoire.
He stands as the only man to have won the Africa Cup of Nations will two different nations – both of which were particularly emotional occasions for those involved. He was at the helm during Zambia’s historic triumph in 2012, winning on penalties in Libreville, Gabon, the city where 19 years earlier much of their national team were killed in a plane crash. Then, in 2015, he led Côte d'Ivoire – the beaten finalists against Zambia – to their first title in 23 years after a series of near-misses.
Renard arrives in Morocco with the side in a healthy condition in their bid to reach the competition’s next instalment, with two wins from two so far. His first task in charge of his new side will be a tough one, though, facing back-to-back games against joint leaders of qualifying Group F, Cape Verde, in late March.
The Frenchman can also look forward to featuring in the next round of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™, after the Atlas Lions produced a hard-fought 2-1 aggregate win over Equatorial Guinea. When the tournament begins in Russia it will be 20 years since their last appearance at the finals.