Friendly rivals Renard and Le Roy hunt for key points

FRENCH coaches Herve Renard and Claude le Roy loom large over the key Africa Cup of Nations Group C clash between Morocco and Togo in Oyem today.

Renard, a Cup of Nations winner with Zambia in 2012 and Ivory Coast in 2015, was hired by Morocco last year and given a mandate to reach the semifinals.

Right now, a last-four place must seem a long way off for the blond, bronzed former Paris rubbish collector, 48, who always wears a white shirt on matchdays.

Morocco could not translate possession into goals three days ago and a goalkeeping blunder by Munir Mohamedi gifted the Democratic Republic of 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 Ivory Coast and Togo with one apiece.

Veteran Le Roy, 68, is at the Cup of Nations a record ninth time and although he boasts of just one title – with Cameroon in 1988 – he has failed to reach the knockout phase only once.

Cameroon, Senegal, DR Congo, Ghana and Congo-Brazzaville all benefited.

Togo are the latest beneficiaries of wisdom gathered over three decades in Africa and they were never overawed when forcing a 0-0 draw with an Ivorian side that appeared much stronger on paper.

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.

“I would need a lot of time to speak about the good things that Claude has brought to my life.”

Le Roy is also complimentary about the man he mentored and turned into the most sought-after coach in Africa.

Morocco dumped ex-star Badou Zaki to hire Renard.

“Herve knows how to lead a group and likes his players,” Le Roy said.

“Liking your players and displaying a great sense of justice and understanding is the best way to work.”

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 and Youssef el Arabi could get a start.

DR Congo will seal a quarterfinals place if they defeat the defending champions in the first match of a double-header.