Master takes on student
“In 2008, Le Roy’s assistant was little-known Herve Renard
OYEM – French coaches Herve Renard and Claude le Roy loom large over the key Africa Cup of Nations Group C clash between Morocco and Togo today. Renard, a Cup of Nations winner with Zambia in 2012 and the Ivory Coast in 2015, was hired by Morocco last year and given a mandate to reach the semifinals. Right now, a lastfour place must seem a long way off for the blond, bronzed 48-yearold former Paris rubbish collector who always wears a white shirt on match day. Morocco could not translate possession into goals three days ago and a goalkeeping blunder by Munir Mohamedi gifted the DR Congo a 1-0 win.
That loss left the Moroccans pointless and bottom of a table headed by DR Congo with three points followed by title-holders the Ivory Coast and Togo with one apiece.
Veteran Le Roy is at the Cup of Nations a record ninth time and although he can boast of just one title – with Cameroon in 1988 — he has failed to reach the knockout phase only once.
When Le Roy coached 2008 hosts and bronze medallists Ghana, his assistant was then unknown Renard. It proved a fruitful relationship for the younger Frenchman.
“He has given me so much in my life,” Renard said after the finals draw. “Not just about football, but how to evolve as a man.”
Le Roy was equally complimentary recently about the man he mentored and turned into the most sought-after coach in Africa, with Morocco dumping ex-star Badou Zaki to hire Renard.
“Herve knows how to lead a group and likes his players,” said Le Roy.
For Renard and Le Roy the prematch emphasis would have been on finishing as Morocco and Togo created few chances in their opening matches.
Morocco have failed to score in their last three competitive matches dating back to October and recently out-of-favour Youssef El Arabi might get a start.
Veteran Emmanuel Adebayor, club-less since leaving Crystal Palace last May, remains the main Togolese threat.
DR Congo, less favoured than the Ivory Coast and Morocco before the group kicked off, will seal a quarterfinals place if they defeat the defending champions in the first match of a double-header.
FIXTURES Today:
Ivory Coast v DR Congo, 6pm; Morocco v Togo, 9pm
Tomorrow:
Ghana v Mali, 6pm; Egypt v Uganda, 9pm
Sunday:
Cameroon v Gabon, 9pm; GuineaBissau v Burkina Faso, 9pm