Luis Fernandez Criticized After Guinea’s Loss to Swaziland in AFCON 2017 Qualifiers
Following Guinea’s 1-2 home defeat to Swaziland in their opening match of the AFCON 2017 qualifiers, the backlash has been swift and harsh—particularly against coach Luis Fernandez. The Frenchman, who also juggles roles as a radio/TV consultant and advisor at Evian, is being publicly criticized by several prominent African football figures for what they consider a lack of full-time commitment to his national team duties.
Claude Le Roy, a long-serving coach in African football, was especially vocal:
“Being a coach, a radio/TV consultant and an advisor at Evian is an insult to football. I really like Luis, but this job in Africa is not the same as in Europe—it’s every day!”
Le Roy stressed that African national team coaches need to be present in the country, involved daily in local football and player development—something Fernandez has yet to embrace.
Hervé Renard, who won the Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia (2012) and Ivory Coast (2015), echoed this view:
“It’s an aberration for me, but it’s not the selectors’ fault—it’s that of the federations. During my last CAN with Ivory Coast, three players from my 23-man squad played in the domestic league. I made it a point to follow the local championship.”
Former Senegal coach Alain Giresse also warned Fernandez of the challenges ahead:
“If Luis thinks there’s a system around him that will meet his demands, he’s wrong. He’s going to be faced with situations where he’ll need to be present and demanding. Otherwise, he won’t succeed. Here, if you don’t accept having an expanded role, it’s better not to do it.”
The criticism revolves around the idea that success in African football requires more than tactics and matchday management—it demands immersion, adaptability, and a constant presence in the footballing ecosystem. Whether Luis Fernandez adapts remains to be seen, but the message from his peers is clear: Africa requires full commitment.
