{
  "id": 9374587,
  "title": "From Renard to Vieira: New coaches take charge in AFCON qualifiers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/from-renard-to-vieira-new-coaches-take-charge-in-afcon-qualifiers",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T16:58:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/from-renard-to-vieira-new-coaches-take-charge-in-afcon-qualifiers/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign kicks off this week, with several prominent coaches making their debut in new roles. Hervé Renard returns to Côte d'Ivoire, Patrick Vieira takes charge of Senegal, Pitso Mosimane resumes his position with South Africa, and Mohamed Ouahbi leads Morocco, among others.\n\nRenard's second spell with Côte d'Ivoire brings an eight-man newcomer squad to the national team, while Vieira's first assignment with Senegal sees him manage a team that has already announced changes, as key player Sadio Mané is absent due to a reported physical issue. Mosimane returns to South Africa for a third time, facing a difficult Group D where only one non-automatic qualifier can advance alongside Kenya.\n\nFor Morocco, Mohamed Ouahbi will lead the Atlas Lions in their inaugural Group A match against Gabon. The opening two rounds of qualifiers, from September 24 to October 6, will provide early indications of how quickly these new coaches can make their mark as the race for the tournament in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda commences.",
  "summary": "Several prominent coaches, including Hervé Renard and Patrick Vieira, face their first tests as the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers begin this week. Read More: https://punchng.com/from-renard-to-vieira-new-coaches-take-charge-in-afcon-qualifiers/",
  "key_points": [
    "Hervé Renard returns as Côte d'Ivoire coach for AFCON qualifiers.",
    "Patrick Vieira manages Senegal, dealing with Sadio Mané's absence.",
    "Mohamed Ouahbi leads Morocco in their first Group A qualifier."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "From Renard to Vieira: New coaches take charge in AFCON qualifiers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/from-renard-to-vieira-new-coaches-take-charge-in-afcon-qualifiers-9376972",
        "published": "2026-09-23T17:14:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Vieira leads wave of new coaches into Africa Cup of Nations qualifying",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/vieira-leads-wave-of-new-coaches-into-africa-cup-of-nations-qualifying",
        "published": "2026-09-23T18:47:36.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}