LIBREVILLE, Gabon – Eric Gerets’ first experience of the African Cup of Nations didn’t go how he thought it would.
Gerets’ talented Morocco team arrived as favourite to qualify from Group C only to lose to North African rival Tunisia and then concede a goal deep in stoppage time in a 3-2 defeat by underdog Gabon and exit the tournament in humiliating fashion.
Reserve goalkeeper Issam Badda contracted a mild form of malaria and leading striker Marouane Chamakh didn’t play in the critical Gabon game after also struggling with illness.
Gerets now hopes he can keep his job and get another chance at the African Cup.
The Belgian says “I’ve started something I would very much like to finish.”
