Renard hails Atlas Lions for AFCON berth
New Morocco coach Herve Renard hailed his team yesterday after they became the first qualifiers for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
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The 47-year-old, who guided Zambia and Cote d’Ivoire to the most prized African football trophy, was speaking after a 2-0 home win over Cape Verde sealed first place in Group F.
"I was amazed by the determination they displayed," he said after a second-half brace from Youssef El Arabi secured victory in Marrakech.
"It is important that we maintain in future games the same mindset that was shown when we beat the No. 1-ranked African team twice within four days," he told reporters.
Renard replaced Badou Zaki as coach of under-performing Morocco a month ago and made a winning debut last Saturday with a 1-0 success in Cape Verde.
The coach sprang to prominence in 2012 when he steered Zambia to Africa Cup glory.
Morocco have set the Frenchman, once a garbage collector and night-time cleaning contractor in Paris, the stiff targets of reaching the 2017 Cup of Nations semi-finals and qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.
Morocco won the Africa Cup for the only time 40 years ago in Ethiopia, finishing one point ahead of Guinea in the lone tournament decided by a mini-league. —AFP
