Michel named new Equatorial Guinea coach
Reuters - Saturday 11 December 2010, 08:26
MALABO, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Much-travelled former
France manager Henri Michel has signed a 13-month
contract to coach Equatorial Guinea at the next African
Nations Cup finals, the country's sports minister Rusian
Obiang Nsue said on Saturday.
The 63-year-old Michel takes charge of the tiny former
Spanish colony, who will co-host the 2012 African Nations Cup
finals with Gabon.
It is the first time they will play in the bi-annual
continental championship.
"My ambition is to create a solid team that will be able
to compete," said Michel at the contact signing ceremony.
Equatorial Guinea are ranked 167th in the world and have
lost their last 10 internationals.
They have been without a coach since August when they fire
former Paraguay international Carlos Diarte.
The country has only played international football since
1986 and first competed in the World Cup qualifiers for the
2002 finals in Asia.
They have won only six competitive internationals.
Moving to Malabo continues a nomadic career for Michel,
both a former captain and coach of his country before
embarking on a nomadic career coaching in 10 different
countries.
Michel coached France, Cameroon, Morocco and the Ivory
Coast at four World Cup finals. His last job was with
Morocco's Raja Casablanca.