Frenchman Alain Giresse has made his return to the Mali national football team as coach, signing a new deal that brings him back to his former employers in Bamako this week.

The football federation in Mali confirmed his signing to the media. Giresse replaces Polish coach Henryk Kasperczak, who resigned following an unsuccessful run at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where the Eagles were knocked out of the competition in the group stage.

Mali were unfortunate to be the victims of the drawing of lots to decide the side that would progress from Group D.

Cote D’Ivoire topped the group, but Guinea and Mali had drawn all three of their group matches with the same goal difference, and Confederation of African Football (CAF) rules led to the two sides drawing lots, at which point Guinea were fortunate to progress by virtue of the lots.

Giresse experienced similar fortunes with the Teranga Lions of Senegal. He was their coach at the 2015 Nations Cup, and they failed to progress from a tough group which included South Africa, Algeria and eventual runners up Ghana. His contract was terminated following Senegal’s departure from the tournament, opening up the possibility for him to return to Mali.

The Mali football authorities were said to have been considering Stephen Keshi and Patrice Cateron, alongside Giresse, but finally made the decision to reunite with their former coach on a two-year deal.

Giresse was previously in charge of the Malians in 2012, when he was able to earn a third place finish at the 2012 AFCON.

The former French international will now need to prepare his team for the upcoming qualification campaigns for the 2017 AFCON and 2018 World Cup, with the first qualifying matches for those tournaments beginning in June and October respectively.