Claude Le Roy officially takes charge of Congo for 2027 AFCON qualifiers

[p]A statement from the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT), confirmed the arrival of Le Roy, whose last coaching stint was with the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/togo/noW84S74/"]Togo[/a] national team in 2021.[/p][p][b]“The meeting room of the Ministry of Sports hosted... the official ceremony for the signing of Claude Le Roy’s contract as expert sports consultant and national coach of the Red Devils,” [/b]the Congolese Football Federation wrote on its social media accounts.[/p][p]The statement added: [b]“As announced in recent weeks, Claude Le Roy officially took the helm of the Congo national team—the Red Devils.[/b][/p][p]“His return to lead the Congolese squad marks the start of a new chapter for a national football program seeking stability and credibility.[/p][h2]Le Roy to undertake significant mission[/h2][p][b]“Known for his rigor, experience, and deep attachment to the Congo, the French coach arrived determined to bring order to an environment that has faced considerable turbulence in recent years.”[/b][/p][p]Beyond his role as national team coach, Claude Le Roy will also undertake a significant mission as a consultant and expert for Congolese football’s governing bodies.[/p][p]The statement added: [b]“The experience he has amassed over decades across the African continent will be instrumental in guiding necessary reforms, improving overall organisation, and strengthening the foundations for the development of the national game.[/b][/p][p]“His expert perspective will prove invaluable in shaping the strategic decisions that will determine the future of the Red Devils.”[/p][embed guid="38069a98-e26e-4284-98ed-ee917dc039d7" url="https://x.com/AfricaSoccer_zn/status/2069154616504148385" social-type="twitter" /][p]The statement continued: [b]“The signed contract runs for two years, though Le Roy reportedly plans to personally oversee the role for about a year and a half before gradually handing the reins to his assistant, Omar Daf—the man tapped to carry on the work he has initiated.[/b][/p][p]“This transition strategy aims to ensure technical continuity while leveraging the former head coach's experience and expertise.”[/p][p][b]Speaking upon putting pen to paper, Le Roy called for better organisation at every level. Discipline, professionalism, adherence to commitments, and a long-term vision are among the principles he intends to implement.[/b][/p][h2]Claude Le Roy history in Africa[/h2][p]His first task will be to help Congo qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be staged in East Africa. Congo have been drawn alongside [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/cameroon/zk1uVG2D/"]Cameroon[/a], Comoros and Namibia.[/p][p][b]The 78-year-old gained prominence at international level coaching the Cameroon and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ghana/nNBjHale/"]Ghana[/a] national teams, winning the 1988 African Cup of Nations with the former.[/b][/p][p]His achievements in leading the Indomitable Lions to be runners-up in the 1986 African Cup of Nations, and then champions in the 1988 competition, are often cited as his greatest managerial accomplishments.[/p][p]He then took charge of Senegal when they reached the quarterfinals at the 1992 AFCONs, and returned to Cameroon to lead them during the World Cup in 1998. In between, he also coached the Malaysia national team from 1994 to 1995.[/p][p][b]In February 2008, Le Roy led Ghana to 14th position in the FIFA World Rankings, their highest position ever, but quit the post in May 2008.[/b][/p][p]Leroy became the new coach of the Congo in 2015, but resigned after leading the team to the qualifying round of the World Cup in 2018.[/p][p]He last coached Togo, where he replaced Tom Saintfiet, but resigned on April 12th, 2021 having failed to lead the side to the African Cup of Nations.[/p][image alt="Dennis Mabuka" id="009ee08a-c012-41bf-bdae-acba9770ea19" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="18aa36a5-3208-4566-8cfb-bda5fcd5d7dc" original-width="1200" original-height="381" /]