Spaniard Jose Antonio Camacho looks likely to be named the new coach of 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosts Gabon.
It is not yet officially confirmed, but seems likely at this stage. This is according to the Spanish manager himself, who revealed the news to AFP.
The 61-year-old coach was in the Gabonese capital Libreville over the weekend to meet with the president of the nation’s soccer federation to sign a contract that will see him take charge of the Panthers ahead of the AFCON, which will be hosted in the country.
Camacho, a former Real Madrid player and coach was previously at the helm of the China national team until 2013.
He takes over from Portuguese coach Jorge Costa, who was sacked earlier in November with the tournament only two months away.
He had originally been fired in June after the federation decided that the team’s poor results could not be accepted, but they went back on that decision and reappointed Costa in August with the mandate of taking the hosts to the final of the Nations Cup in February.
Before his sacking he was the highest paid coach in Africa, with the federation paying Costa a monthly salary of around $77,300.
The 45-year-old former Portugal defender was temporarily replaced by fellow Portuguese Jose Garrido, who was employed by the federation as technical director, but it seems that Camacho will soon be officially unveiled as the new manager ahead of their home AFCON.
The country will welcome 15 of the best national teams on the continent in January for the latest edition of the prestigious Nations Cup competition.
As hosts Gabon have been drawn in Group A at the upcoming AFCON tournament, and will play Guinea-Bissau in the opening match of the showpiece event in Libreville on January 14.
The two other countries in their group are Burkina Faso and Cameroon, ensuring a tough selection of matches for the Panthers and new coach Camacho.
