Le Roy takes over as new Congo coach

Le Roy, a highly experienced coach in African football, arrived in Kinshasa late Thursday and signed a contract until 2014. The move follows the resignation of compatriot Robert Nouzaret earlier this week. “It’s a great pleasure for me to return again to … a country with enormous potential in sports,” said the 63-year-old Le Roy, who had previously coached the team from 2004-2006. “My goal is to qualify the Leopards for the World Cup 2014 in Brazil, one must not be afraid to say it. I believe the country deserves that. It all depends on the coach and his staff, and that is a great responsibility.” The Congolese Minister of Sports, Claude Nyamugabo, welcomed Le Roy’s return, saying the government is “committed to support you in your important mission to qualify our country for various international competitions. “It is a (source of) pride for us and our people to see you again in our country.” Constant Omari Selemani, the president of the Congolese football federation, said: “We were negotiating with him for a month.” Le Roy joined up with the squad on Friday in Dakar, Senegal, where his side faces a difficult 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifier on Saturday. In Africa, the Frenchman has also coached Ghana, Cameroon and Senegal. Nouzaret, who had coached Congo since Aug. 2010, announced his resignation Wednesday on a local radio station, blaming what he called interference from the federation in the selection of players.