Centrafrique names new coach before Benin match
Moroccan Abdelaziz Kerkache takes charge of the Central African Republic team for CAN 2027 qualifiers.
The Central African Republic appointed Moroccan coach Abdelaziz Kerkache on Friday, November 6, six days before their first CAN 2027 qualifier against Benin. Kerkache, who previously coached in Morocco, has selected 24 players for the upcoming matches, including Geoffrey Kondogbia and Louis Mafouta.
Kerkache arrived in Bangui and was welcomed by the Central African Football Federation president, Célestin Yanindji. He replaces Éloge Enza Yamissi as the head coach. The team has not yet secured any points in the qualifiers, having lost to Mauritania and Burkina Faso.
Benin, currently with four points, will host the first match on Thursday, November 12, at Abidjan's Félix-Houphouët-Boigny stadium. The return leg is scheduled for Monday, November 16, at Benin's Japoma stadium in Douala. Benin's coach, Gernot Rohr, announced his 25-player squad on October 31.