Appointed head coach on 6 November, Abdelaziz Kerkache leads a squad of 24 players in which captain Geoffrey Kondogbia and Louis Mafouta return, ahead of the first leg against Benin on Thursday 12 November in Abidjan.
The new Central African Republic head coach, Abdelaziz Kerkache, begins his tenure with a tricky away trip. Appointed on 6 November to succeed Éloge Enza Yamissi, he takes a squad of 24 players to Abidjan, where the Central African Republic face Benin on Thursday 12 November at the Stade Félix-Houphouët-Boigny in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, according to Pan Africa Football.
The coach set out his objective bluntly: “I came with a mission: to try to qualify this nation for the AFCON,” he told Pan Africa Football. The task is a tall one for a team yet to get off the mark in Group F, beaten by Mauritania (1-3) and then by Burkina Faso (0-1).
Kondogbia and Mafouta back
The 24-man list is marked by two returns: those of Geoffrey Kondogbia and Louis Mafouta, who were absent from the previous gathering for medical reasons, according to Pan Africa Football. The captain and midfielder, who plays for Olympique de Marseille, is therefore back with the national team for this double header.
In comments reported by Pan Africa Football, Kondogbia stresses humility: “The first thing we must have is this humility and, secondly, ambition,” he said.
A better-ranked opponent
The Group F standings are as follows: Benin and Burkina Faso occupy the top places with 4 points each, Mauritania follow with 3 points, and the Central African Republic bring up the rear with zero points, according to Pan Africa Football.
Benin are 89th in the FIFA ranking, 56 places ahead of the Central African Republic (145th), according to GhanaSoccernet. Their coach, Gernot Rohr, will be without his captain Steve Mounié, who is injured. Young Parfait Faton, 16, has received his first call-up, according to the same source.
Douala in sight
Beyond the immediate sporting project, Abdelaziz Kerkache paints a broader picture of his country’s football: “Central African football needs structuring,” he told Oubangui Médias. He added: “The Central African Republic still has great potential that will awaken tomorrow,” according to Pan Africa Football.
The second leg will be played at the Japoma Stadium in Douala, according to Pan Africa Football.
Squad news
Junior Sambia arrived slightly late at the camp, according to Pan Africa Football. The coach may also have to do without Vénuste Baboula, who is doubtful because of an ankle sprain, according to GhanaSoccernet.