The Ivory Coast national team finds itself in a precarious situation ahead of its encounter with Senegal in the Round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations 2023.
This comes after the French Football Federation confirmed in the past few hours that Herve Renard, the current coach of the French women’s national team, will not lead the Elephants in the upcoming days, as previously speculated.
Renard’s Final Decision on Coaching Ivory Coast in AFCON 2023
The French Football Federation, as reported by the French news agency, clarified that Herve Renard, who is under contract with “Les Bleues,” will not be going to the Africa Cup of Nations to coach Ivory Coast.
This decision followed the Ivorian Football Federation’s request to borrow the coach during the AFCON, but an agreement was not reached with their French counterparts.
The French agency highlighted Renard’s popularity in Ivory Coast, where the 55-year-old coach led the Elephants to victory in the continental championship in 2015.
He also won the same tournament as the coach of Zambia in 2012 and led Morocco between 2016 and 2019.
French Federation’s Decision Shocks Ivory Coast Ahead of Senegal Clash
The French Federation had previously signed Renard to lead the French women’s national team until the upcoming Olympics this summer, having supervised Saudi Arabia’s national team in the Qatar World Cup.
The French women’s team is set to play in the semi-final of the Nations League against Germany on February 23.
In recent days, the Ivorian Football Federation decided to part ways with its French coach Jean-Louis Gasset due to disappointing results in the AFCON.
This decision came two days after a 4-0 defeat against Equatorial Guinea in the last round of the group stage.
Senegal vs. Ivory Coast Match Date
Ivory Coast is scheduled to play against Senegal in the Round of 16 on Monday at the Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro.
The Africa Cup of Nations final is set for February 11 at the Hassan Wattara Stadium in Abidjan.
As Ivory Coast navigates through the coaching challenges, fans eagerly await the outcome of the highly anticipated clash with Senegal.
