Guest of the Podcast “Africa Football Club” of the L'Equipe media, Hervé Renard engaged in such a flattering and perilous exercise: composing his dream eleven with the best African players he trained. The French technician, today at the head of Saudi Arabia, has aligned prestigious names, from Yaya Touré to Essien, via Hakimi, Ziyech or Gervinho. On paper, difficult to challenge the quality of the team. And yet …
Barely published, its composition has aroused strong reactions. Because how to explain the absence of certain executives he has led and praised in the past? Serge Aurier, Éric Bailly, Romain Saïss, Sofiane Boufal, Max-Alain Gradel or Idrissa Gueye are among the great forgotten of this selection. However, all carried the hopes of their nation under the orders of the French technician. Even Wilfried Zaha and Cedric Bakambu, authors of beautiful countryside, are left out.
Eleven African Renard: Admiration or Provocation?
But if there is a forgetfulness that really makes teeth cringe, it is that of Asamoah Gyan. The former Ghanaian captain, hero of CAN 2010 and legendary scorer, could have legitimately appeared among the attackers. However, his name was not even mentioned. An inconsistency for some, a provocation for others. Renard, who was however assistant in Ghana, seems to have completely zapped him.
Essien, Ziyech, Bony… But not gyan? Renard's controversial eleven controversial
Of course, composing an ideal eleven is a subjective choice. But by dismissing all the sacred Zambians at CAN 2012, with the exception of a quote for Sunzu, Hervé Renard seems to have deliberately skipped an entire part of his own legend. A choice that goes wrong with the nostalgic for this epic.
The 56 -year -old coach, who treats his communication, must be more prudent when it is time for him to compose a “Eleven Asian”. Because in Saudi Arabia too, some could find it badly to be dismissed from the table.
