A month ago, Hervé Renard almost went freelance at the head of the Ivory Coast men's team during the African Cup of Nations (CAN). But the French Football Federation (FFF) ruled out this possibility. This is because the Blue coach has a busy schedule. Friday February 23, in Décines-Charpieu (Rhône), his troops face their first major meeting since their elimination in the quarter-final of the World Cup, in Australia, in the summer of 2023: the semi-final of the Nations League against Germany, at 9 p.m. The victorious team will compete for the title on February 28 against Spain, world champion, and the Netherlands, opposed in the other match.
Qualification would offer Les Bleues the chance to compete in a first continental final... and, inevitably, a possibility of winning a first major international trophy at the end of this first edition of the competition, which has existed for men since 2018. It would allow, also, for the Tricolores to definitively turn the page on the incredible episode of the CAN, which created some turmoil within women's football.
When announcing his list on February 14, Hervé Renard spoke frankly about his desire to join – temporarily – the Elephants. “I was contacted, we must not reverse the roles,” he recalled. I thought about. I experienced an exceptional adventure with this team in 2015. Challenges are part of my career which is a little chaotic and different from those of many others. »
No agreement has been reached between the FFF and its Ivorian counterpart. The coach, already a double African champion – in 2012 with Zambia and in 2015 with Ivory Coast – did not have the opportunity to make the pass of three. Mr. Renard assumes responsibility for his choices, emphasizing the clarity of his intentions: “I don’t think I offended anyone. My priority was absolutely to continue with this women's team, if it was accepted that I could do both, he explained. If I had to make this decision again today, I would make the exact same one, like it or not. » Her only objective is to lead her players to success: “The objective is to reach a first continental final, and that’s the only one! »
“It could send out a very large detonation.”
Germany had eliminated France in the semi-final of Euro 2022 in England (2-1), but it remains in a bitter and unexpected elimination in the first round of the 2023 World Cup. The task therefore seems within the captain's reach , Eugénie Le Sommer, and her teammates. The Olympique Lyonnais (OL) player, top scorer in the history of the selection, will wear the armband to replace her club partner, Wendie Renard, absent for a few months due to injury. The Tricolores can, on the other hand, count on the return of two of their best attackers: Delphine Cascarino, long injured, and Marie-Antoinette Katoto.
Les Bleues will also be able to count on the support of the public, with six OL representatives selected in the group. An attendance in the very high range is expected this Friday. A record could even be broken at Groupama Stadium. The previous one dates from December 2023, in Rennes, with 26,453 spectators during a success (3-0) against Austria, already in the Nations League.
Goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, who regained a starting place at the expense of Constance Picaud, often a substitute at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), believes in the leverage effect of success in the tournament. “This could send a very big detonation, a message to say that France is ready to win major competitions,” she told Agence France-Presse.
The French women also already have – a little – their eyes on the Olympic tournament, which will be played at home this summer. “The symbolism of the upcoming Olympics is incredible. It will be my first, at home, with a final in my Parc des Princes, the vice-captain of the Bleues and PSG player, Grace Geyoro, told L’Equipe. But the goal is not just to participate, we want to get that gold medal. »And what could be better than winning the first time, never to make a big deal of it again.
