DEFENDING CHAMPS FALL AT FIRST HURDLE: Afcon specialist Renard comes back to haunt Ivory Coast

Morocco's French coach Herve Renard (C) reacts as Morocco's players celebrate at the end of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group C football match between Morocco and Ivory Coast in Oyem on January 24, 2017. / AFP PHOTO /

They looked panicky. They were all anxious and jittery, while to their fans, they were evidently angry.

On Tuesday night in Franceville, Ivory Coast were appalling and were not any close to the Ivorian team before them. Not even the conquering 2015 side.

When referee Neant Alioum blew the final whistle in the 1-0 loss to a fluid Moroccan side, TP Mazembe goalkeeper Ivorian Sylvain Gbohouo sat in his yard, legs crossed. He had been to hell, thanks to the Arabs.

Captain Serey Die was astounded, while Max Alain Gradel stood akimbo as he helplessly watched the Moroccans burst into endless celebrations.

Next to his bench, Ivory Coast coach Michel Dussuyer was speechless as he had a brief look at the celebrating Moroccan side, had a glance on his dejected Ivorian players, more so Gbohouo and walked away. He had seen a lot during the night.

On their way to winning last edition’s title in Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast drew their first two group matches, but stepped on the gas from then on. So, coming to this match, it was a feeling of déjà vu, or so they thought.

Herve Renard, who guided them to that memorable trophy two years ago, was on the touchline. But he was not on their bench this time, but with their opponents, Morocco.

His brief was simple; haunt your former employers with pleasure. And he did just that. He got them a one-way ticket back to Abidjan, where there will certainly be no dancers awaiting them. The red carpet will be missing too.

The knives are already out for the side that could not even conjure up enough shots on target on that memorable Tuesday night. They had two. In a group that they were expected to emerge victors with little effort, they finished third, with just two points.

Meanwhile, it is not in doubt that celebrations back in Morocco will continue for a while. The Elephants have been eliminated. And it was substitute Rachid Alioui, who did it for them.

But bar that moment of individual brilliance from Alioui, who curled over goalkeeper’s hopeless dive, the match lacked any impression of excellence.

For fans who take pleasure in attractive football filled with elaborate passes and some moments of startling creativity, this was not that match.

Granted, there was pace and agility, at times, but the match was ill-tempered as hard tackles came flying from all corners.

Coach Dussuyer threw in more bodies just to salvage a point for pride, but that did not work. Their ship was leaking and it was not a matter of if, but when, it would sink.

Moroccan coach Renard was oscillating between his seat and edge of the field, issuing instructions. He hardly sits down this man, who is always dressed in his trademark white shirt.

“I am delighted with this win. I told my players they need to be tough with Ivory Coast because it is a good side,” said Renard. “I feel pity for the Ivorians though, because I have been in a similar position before.”