Mali contradicts Alain Giresse’s move to Cameroon

Who will be the future coach of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon?

This question has remained unanswered while Cameroon faces South Africa on March 26 as part of the 3rd-day qualifiers of AFCON 2017.

Sources close to the Lions' new coach recruitment folder argue that the choice was focused on Alain Giresse. In Cameroon, the arrival of the French was repeatedly announced. But he never came to Yaounde.

The French himself has not yet officially commented on the matter to the media. Radio France Internationale had said the former coach of the Panthers of Gabon, reached by telephone, would not confirm, but at the same time, will not deny the information.

For the Mali Football Federation (FEMAFOOT) there is no speculation maintain. Mutations of February 2, 2016, published excerpts of the reaction of the head of communication of the said Federation: "There is nothing. Alain Giresse has taken no official steps signifying that he wants to terminate his contract. You cannot block his contract. However, if he leaves the head of the national team before the end of his contract, he must pay damages related to it," suggested Modibo Traoré Naman.

In an article posted on January 30, 2016, the Maliweb.net website announces the return of Mr. Giresse in Mali in the coming days. "The national coach of the Eagles of Mali, Alain Giresse is expected in Bamako in principle next week. According to our information, it will be for him to prepare for the next match of Mali as part of the qualifiers for the African Cup of Nations (CAN) finals which will be held in 2017 in Gabon. To do so, the Eagles of Mali should host Equatorial Guinea in late March in Bamako before traveling to Malabo on behalf of the fourth day," it said on the website.

As the head of the Eagles of Mali since April 2015, Alain Giresse is associated to FEMAFOOT until 2017. He has the task of qualifying the country of Seydou Keita for the AFCON 2017 in Gabon and the World Cup 2018 in Russia. However, he would not be the first to leave the national team before the end of his lease.

Modibo Traoré Naman indicates in this respect that "There is a precedent that maintains pessimism by Malians on the imminent departure of Alain Giresse. Because in 2013 his compatriot Patrice Carteron then under contract with the Mali national team, had left everything behind to reach Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as coach of TP Mazembe."