Ivory Coast replace coach

Gil appointed as Stielike's successor

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 7th January 2008

Ivory Coast replace coach

Gili: New man in charge

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Gerard Gili has been appointed as Ivory Coast coach on a temporary basis just two weeks before the start of the African Cup of Nations.

Ulrich Stielike resigned after his son fell into a coma, and the Ivorian Football Association has moved quickly to bring in Gili.

The French coach has steered Ivory Coast's Under 23 side to their first Olympic Games in Beijing this year.

He will now link up with the senior squad for a week-long training camp in Kuwait ahead of the start of the tournament on 20th January.

Ivory Coast, runners-up in the previous tournament in Egypt two years ago, are among the favourites to win the competition.

They face Nigeria in their first match on 21st January and also have group matches against Mali and Benin.