Qualifying Morocco for African Nations Cup and 2010 World Cup, ‘one of our priorities’ Lemerre

Rabat, July 9 - New coach of the Moroccan national squad, Frenchman Roger Lemerre, underlined on Tuesday that qualifying Morocco for the African Cup of Nations and the 2010 football World Cup are “one of our priorities”.

Speaking at a meeting with the press, Lemerre, who officially took over as coach of the Morocco national team on July 1, said he will primarily work towards qualifying the national team for the second round of the combined playoffs.

“We must make it to the second leg of the combined playoffs. Morocco has 9 points in its group, but it should finish first,” Lemerre said, stressing that “the Moroccan football is a reality. Four participations in the World Cup and the Africa Cup is really an achievement.”

Lemerre is succeeding his countryman Henri Michel who was fired in February after the poor performance of the Moroccan soccer squad in the African Cup finals in Ghana, and their early exit from the tournament.

Lemerre, 66, signed a-four-year contract (renewable every two years) to lead the Atlas Lions. He will receive a monthly salary of Euro 37,500, according to vice-chairman of the Moroccan Federation of football (FRMF), Mohamed Aouzal.

The trainer – who has won major titles with both his homeland team and Tunisia – will restructure senior, junior and Olympic national teams, and will participate in training national coaches, Aouzal told the press.

(MAP)