Former Morocco coach Herve Renard has apologised for making a huge mistake by leaving out Hakim Ziyech from his list in a select XI of the best African players he has managed.
The 51-year-old Frenchman has coached four African sides to date – Angola, Zambia, the Ivory Coast and Morocco, and was very successful as he Africa Cup of Nations success in 2012 and 2015, with Zambia and Ivory Coast respectively.
Renard’s XI contained Ghana’s Richard Kingson in goal, Medhi Benatia, Kolo Toure, Jonathan Mensah and Achraf Hakimi in defence.
In midfield is Yaya Toure and Michael Essien in a double pivot, while it’s an attacking trio of Siaka Tiene, Sulley Muntari and Andre Ayew with Asamoah Gyan being the lone striker up front.
Jordan Ayew, Gervinho and Younes Belhanda make up the bench.
Realising his grave mistake of skipping Ziyech, Renard – who now coaches Saudi Arabia – said in response to a Twitter post: “My apologies for the mistake in the team that you may have seen, for me Hakim Ziyech is one of the best, it would be disrespectful to football to not include him in the team, he is an incredible player with a lot of talent. I wish him all the best and he knows it.” Ziyech signed with Chelsea in February, and will be playing for the Blues next season.