Bubista resigns as Cape Verde coach as Herve Renard re-joins Ivory Coast

Bubista has resigned from his post as Cape Verde head coach to join Moroccan club RS Berkane while Ivory Coast have hired Herve Renard for a second spell in charge.

Bubista guided the island nation to the last 32 of the World Cup last month, where the Blue Sharks were beaten 3-2 by eventual runners-up Argentina after extra time.

The 56-year-old also reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with Cape Verde, having taken charge in January 2020.

He has signed a two-year deal with RS Berkane, who finished second in the Moroccan top flight last season, and replaces Moin Chaabani, who has been appointed as Tunisia's new head coach.

Renard has won the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) twice as a coach including with Ivory Coast in 2015. He previously led Zambia to a fairy tale title in 2012.

The Ivorians lost 2-1 to Norway in the last 32 at the World Cup and decided not to renew Emerse Fae's deal when it expired at the end of last month.

The former Nantes and Reading midfielder took over the reins midway through the 2023 Afcon - after the Elephants had failed in a bid to reappoint Renard - and the tournament hosts were crowned champions following a remarkable run through the knockout stage.

Renard has had stints with Morocco, Saudi Arabia (twice) and France's women since leaving Ivory Coast in May 2015, and was in the dugout for Tunisia for two games at this year's World Cup.

The length of the 57-year-old's contract has not been disclosed and the Frenchman is expected in Abidjan "in the coming days" to take up his official duties.

Bubista's sustained success with Cape Verde has raised his profile across the continent.

And while RS Berkane, from the north-east of Morocco, are not traditionally seen as one of the kingdom's big clubs they have enjoyed success in recent years.

They claimed their first domestic league title in 2024-25 and are three-time winners of the Caf Confederation Cup, Africa's second tier continental club competition.

Berkane caused controversy in 2024 by wearing a shirt in the Confederation Cup which featured a map of Morocco including the disputed territory of Western Sahara.

Cape Verde qualified for the World Cup for the first time ahead of Cameroon and the debutants proved to be the underdog story of this year's finals.

Cape Verde's football federation thanked Bubista for his "dedication, professionalism, and contribution to the development of the national team's sporting project" before wishing him "much success" in his future endeavours.

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