Ivory Coast reappoint Herve Renard for attempt at repeat of AFCON title

What the report says

Ivory Coast have reappointed French coach Herve Renard as head coach, according to a statement from the Ivorian football federation reported by Al Jazeera. Renard previously led the country to the African title in 2015, and his return is intended to help the team challenge for another Africa Cup of Nations crown.

The move comes after the federation chose not to renew Emerse Fae’s contract following the World Cup. Al Jazeera reported that Ivory Coast reached the knockout stage for the first time in four appearances before being eliminated by Norway in the round of 32. Renard replaces Fae and is expected to guide the team into the next qualifying phase.

Renard’s coaching record includes national-team jobs with Angola, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Zambia. He won the Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia in 2012 and later coached Saudi Arabia at the World Cup. More recently, he had a brief stint as Tunisia’s emergency replacement during the World Cup, according to the article.

The federation’s decision matters because Ivory Coast will be trying to build on recent progress while preparing for the next AFCON, which is scheduled to be cohosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The Ivorians begin qualifying next month with a home match against Ghana, followed by a game against Somalia, giving Renard an immediate test on his return.