The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Herve Renard

Saudi coach Renard labels Iraq game most important of his career

Herve Renard has called Saudi Arabia’s World Cup qualifying clash with Iraq in Jeddah today the most important game of his coaching career as they stand on the cusp of a place at next year’s finals.

The Frenchman, twice a winner of the African Cup of Nations and whose Saudi side beat Argentina at the last World Cup, will lead his team into the clash needing only a draw to secure a berth at a seventh World Cup for the Gulf state.

“What we did before, it’s nothing up to now because if we don’t achieve our goal tomorrow you won’t remember the game against Indonesia, the game we played in Bahrain so the most important is tomorrow,” said Renard.

“This game, for me, it’s the most important game in my career. I will explain to you after the game.”

Renard is in his second spell as Saudi coach having returned to replace Roberto Mancini during the previous round of preliminaries to resurrect the team’s World Cup hopes after a series of disappointing performances under the Italian.

Saudi Arabia lead Group B of the fourth round of Asia’s preliminaries on goals scored after the Saudis and Iraq secured wins over Indonesia.

The Saudis hold a slim advantage in the standings due to their 3-2 victory over Patrick Kluivert’s side, who the Iraqis beat 1-0.

The group winners qualify directly for the finals, where they will join Japan, South Korea, Iran, Australia, Uzbekistan and Jordan as Asia’s representatives.

The United Arab Emirates and Qatar meet in Doha in Group A, also on Tuesday, to determine the other Asian qualifier with the runners-up in the two groups due to meet in November for a spot in an intercontinental playoff.

“I’m lucky because I have some players with experience like Saleh Al-Shehri, Salem Al-Dawsari our captain, now Hassan Al-Tambakthi is getting more experience,” said Renard.

“I always tell them to stay focused. It’s not always easy with the Saudi players, but the most important is when they are listening, so we prepare for this game very quietly.

“We are concentrated on our goal and we don’t have to do something else, just focus on us.”

Iraq coach Graham Arnold confirmed talismanic striker Aymen Hussein would be fit after missing the win over Indonesia on Saturday.

“They have in their brain two ways to qualify, that is draw or win,” Arnold said of the Saudis. “We have one way and that’s win. So our full focus is going out and go for it.”

October 14, 2025
AFCON: Determination makes the difference -Hervé Renard

Obstacles in life cannot stop a determined mind from reaching his target. That was the submission of Morocco Coach Hervé Renard, while making a retrospect of his involvement with football and team management.

The 50 year old White-shirt- wearing coach revealed in a chat with BBC that initial draw backs never diminished his love for football even if he did not play the game to his full capacity.

“I did windows, I cleaned carpets and other industrial cleaning jobs and I was not ashamed. I played a game in the top division, I played a game in the French Cup with a professional club and it stopped there but I had great years and dream ahead,” he enthused

Renard who is fast becoming a Nations cup specialist haven led two countries to clinch the title back to back is itching close to leading Morocco the title and his third triumph after leading Zambia and Cote d Ivoire to victory in 2012 and 2015 respectively.

The former defender whose team has been spectacular so far at ongoing Nations cup in Egypt making a clean sweep of the group stage is reportedly being closely watched by some other African countries hoping to porch him should he be ready to move from his present deal which lasts till 2022.

The former Lille and Sochaux manager led Atlas Lions to their first World Cup outing in Russia last year and may all things being equal be leading them to the next World Cup in Qatar.

Some soccer fans addicted to betting on virtually everything in football have predicted that the former Angola coach will lead his team to the final in Egypt while at the same time insinuating that a move to Nigeria or South Africa will be his next step should he choose to leave his current contract.

July 2, 2019
Tears as Tiote’s Body Arrives in Abidjan (PHOTOS)

As the remains of Ivorian footballer, Cheick Tiote arrives Port Bouet Airport in Abidjan, the capital of his native Ivory Coast, Wilfried Bony was among the pallbearers on Thursday afternoon.

The Manchester City forward and other former teammates of Tiote’s with the Ivory Coast national team carried the casket on their shoulders after being flown from Beijing where he tragically passed away.

Cheick Tiote’s coffin is carried by his former Ivory Coast team-mates at Port Bouet Airport

Bony

Bony on a T-Shirt which read ‘an elephant never dies’ in paying tribute to the late midfielder as he attended the sombre occasion.

Former Ivory Coast national team coach Herve Renard was also in attendance along with the president of the Ivorian Football Federation, Augustin Sidy Diallo.

Family members displayed their grief as Tiote’s coffin was carried through the airport, where fans also came to pay their respects.

Tiote’s casket is carried through arrivals at the Port Bouet airport, the largest in the Ivory Coast

Former Ivory Coast national team manager Herve Renard was also in attendance on Thursday

Tiote suffered a suspected heart attack on June 5 during a training session with his club Beijing Enterprises and later passed away.

There was a memorial service for him held in Beijing on Tuesday which was attended by his ex-Newcastle team-mate Papiss Cisse, who plays in China with Shandong Luneng.

‘I lived some extraordinary moments with this man and today he’s gone,’ said Cisse at the service as he fought back tears.

A family member shows their grief at the service as mourners turned up to pay their respects

One fan painted himself in black and white and wore a hat with the message ‘farewell’

A mural featuring images of Tiote playing for the Ivory Coast was displayed at the airport

Beijing Enterprises players were also present at that service as they paid their respects to Tiote, who joined them from Newcastle in February.

Sportsmail revealed earlier this week that Beijing Enterprises had no emergency cardiac equipment at their training base which which to treat him.

And Manchester United legend Andy Cole questioned whether more can be done to protect players who suffer from heart problems.

Tiote during a training session with Chinese second division side Beijing Enterprises

Papiss Cisse sheds a tear while attending Tiote’s memorial service in Beijing on Tuesday

‘If someone is only 30 and they pass away, the question that is naturally going to be asked is ‘Why? What’s gone on there? Why has he passed away so early?’, Cole said to BBC Radio Five Live.

‘It’s a strange one. Cheick Tiote hadn’t been in China that long – a few months – so he must have had a medical to complete the transfer. Was nothing picked up in that medical?

‘Is anything actually being done? Is it being looked into? We need to nail it down and get to the bottom of why and what it is.

Bony and Tiote celebrate after winning the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast

Bony and Tiote compete while playing for former clubs Swansea and Newcastle respectively

‘Because it seems to be happening to more and more professional footballers – fit, strong men.’

Tiote spent seven years at Newcastle and is best remembered for scoring a stunning equaliser in the 4-4 draw against Arsenal in February 2011.

He also featured for Anderlecht, Twente and made 55 appearances for the Ivory Coast senior side, winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015.

June 15, 2017
AFCON: Ivory Coast must beat Moroccco for quarter final

The defending Champions of the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON), Ivory Coast must beat Morocco to secure progress to the last eight when they meet at the ongoing tournament in Gabon later on Tuesday at Oyem.

The Ivorians could be the next major casualty at this year’s tournament unless they can get the better of Morocco and their former coach Herve Renard in their last Group C match.

Failure to do so will see them follow hosts Gabon and pre-tournament favourites Algeria out of the door.

Ivory Coast were in a similar position two years ago when they also drew their opening two games but then went on a winning run that took them to the title.

“Don’t worry we’ll do it again,’’ promised fullback Serge Aurier after their last draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday.

DR Congo are top on four points and are expected to see off Togo, on one point, in Port-Gentil to go through as group winners.

Morocco, in second spot, have three points, one more than the Ivorians.

Since departing the Ivory Coast, who he led to the 2015 Nations Cup title, Morocco coach Renard has already had one reunion with his former charges in a World Cup qualifier in Marrakech in November which ended in a 0-0 draw.

On Monday, Senegal, who had already secured top place, rested key players as they drew 2-2 with Algeria in Franceville, while Tunisia, who needed just one point to take second spot, comfortably beat Zimbabwe 4-2 in Libreville.

January 24, 2017
Can the Elephants defend their title in Gabon?

The realities of missing the African Cup of Nations otherwise for the second consecutive times, will finally dawn on Nigerians Saturday 14th January, when the championship kicks off in Gabon.
Just like the Super Eagles and indeed Nigerians watched from the sidelines as qualified countries including eventual champions Elephants of Cote d Ivoire battled for honours in Equatorial Guinea in 2015 that is how they will also watch from the sidelines as Ivorians attempt to defend their title in Gabon.
The battle for supremacy among the 16 countries that qualified will be fought in four Gabonese cities of Libreville, PortGentil, Oyem and Franceville. Despite the absence of three time winners Nigeria, the championship will not be lacking infireworks. Formidable teams abound to give soccer fans on the continent a run for their time and attention.
The pressure perhaps may be on defending champions Ivory Coast who have been pitched against Congo DR, Morocco and Togo
In 2015 when they clinched the title they had with them French coach Herve Renard who has now taken over Morocco. Recall that he won the title with Zambia in 2012. The question is can he replicate the magic with Morocco who are eyeing the second

trophy in 16 appearances and with a title won in 1976 in the kitty? If the chances are to be based on number of appearances,

the title will go to the Pharaohs of Egypt who have featured a record 23 times and have won seven times while chasing their 8th title. Although some will say making the last appearance seven years ago could be a disadvantage. The presence of Black Stars of Ghana making their 21st appearance with four titles in the kitty, Indomitable Lions of Cameroon with four titles in the kitty and 18 appearances there is no doubt that a lot is at stake for virtually all the contenders. Debutants Guinea

Bissau will equally be looking to have valuable experience while the Ugandans who last appeared 39 years ago may not just be interested in a return but a remarkable return. It is safe there to say for those who made it to Gabon, the stage is set and the battle can begin.
Saturday 14 January 2017
Gabon v Guinea-Bissau Stade d’Angondje 18:00
Burkina Faso v Cameroon Stade d’Angondje 21:00
Group A: Gabon, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Guinea-Bissau
Group B: Algeria, Tunisia, Senegal, Zimbabwe
Group C: Côte d’Ivoire, Congo DR, Morocco, Togo
Group D: Ghana, Mali, Egypt, Uganda

January 13, 2017
Renard named new Morocco coach

Former Ivory Coast manager, Herve Renard, has been named the new head coach of Morocco following the departure of Badou Zaki.

Renard clinched the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast last year before taking charge of Lille in Ligue 1, but he was sacked in November, Goal reports.

The 47-year-old had been linked with the Kazakhstan job, but has agreed a deal with the Moroccan soccer federation to take charge of the Atlas Lions, after Zaki left his post by mutual consent last week.

Renard was presented at a media conference in Rabat, Tuesday.

February 16, 2016
CAF COACH OF 2015: Herve Renard ahead of Amuneke

U17 World Cup-winning coach Emmanuel Amuneke will most likely surrender the CAF Coach of the year 2015 to Herve Renard, who led Cote d’Ivoire to win a long-awaited AFCON in Equatorial Guinea in February.

The 2015 AFCON win was after 23 years of wait by the Ivorians who last celebrated AFCON success in 1992.

Renard also led unfancied Zambia to win the 2012 AFCON in Gabon, incidentally at the expense of Cote d’Ivoire.

Former FC Barcelona winger Amuneke, on the other hand, led Nigeria to win the FIFA U17 World Cup in November in Chile.

Many had written off the team after they failed to win the CAF U17 championship in Niger Republic but the former African Footballer of the Year proved his critics wrong by making the team unbeatable at the World Cup.

The team showed they are well-coached with their display and Amuneke proved to be a technically sound coach to the extent that the FIFA Study Group noted his tactics.

Etoile du Sahel coach Fawzi Benzarti led the Tunisian club to successful season in 2015 by winning the CAF Confederation Cup and Tunisia President’s Cup.

CAF Champions League-winning coach with TP Mazembe Patrice Carteron is also a nominee for this award category.

January 7, 2016
Renard quits Cote d’Ivoire post

Cote d’Ivoire football federation president, Sidy Diallo, has confirmed that national team coach, Herve Renard, has vacated his position.

The coach arrived the West African country on Thursday and held talks with the football body, essentially to determine his release clause estimated to be around €400,000, Goal reports.

Renard, who led the Elephants to win the 2015 Africa Nations Cup in Equatorial Guinea, had 18 months left on his contract.

Reports in France said he is on the verge of joining Ligue 1 side Lille, who confirmed the departure of Rene Girard this week.

His assistant Patrice Beaumelle – who also worked with him when he won the 2012 AFCON with Zambia – will also leave his post with the Ivoirians.

May 22, 2015