the good and bad memories of Vahid Halilhodzic on the continent
From the madness of Raja Casablanca, African champion 1997 to his tears of the 8th final of the 2014 World Cup with Algeria, Vahid Halilhodzic, coach of Morocco, who will start the CAN-2022 against Ghana on Monday (5:00 p.m.) in Yaoundé , tells AFP his good and bad African memories.
1997: « The heat of Raja » Casablanca
« There was war at home (in Bosnia, editor’s note), I came from there to train a 2nd division team (Beauvais), unfortunately Unecatef (coaches union) and Guy Roux (its president) suspended my post (in 1994), I was very angry with him , they did not accept my diploma from Sarajevo.
I no longer had a job, I had lost everything during the war (in Yugoslavia), I had to work! Henri Michel and Michel Hidalgo called me (in 1997): + A big club in Morocco wants you to come +.
We were almost eliminated from the African Champions League, then we won almost everything and four months later we were African champions.
Vahid Halilhodzic
I didn’t know much there, but I discovered an amazing club, I didn’t know Raja was so popular. When I arrived, I found several thousand supporters at the stadium in training, asking for an explanation. I discussed, I said: + Thank you, but now go, I have to work +.
We were almost eliminated from the African Champions League, then we won almost everything and four months later we were African champions (in 1997, against Obuasi Goldfields, 0-1 / 1-0, 5-4 tab) . On the ledge at Casa, there were millions of people, an event engraved in my memory. And I lived in the Wydad district, the other big club in town (laughs)!«
2010: « Lack of respect » in Ivory Coast
« It was a very complicated situation at CAN-2010, because Togo, in our group, was attacked by rebels (two dead in the delegation). My players were doing everything to leave this competition, Didier Drogba, Yaya Touré would say to me: + Vahid, we cannot, we are threatened +.
I think they were almost relieved to be eliminated (in the quarterfinals by Algeria, 3-2 after, with Algeria equalizing 2-2 in the 90th + 2). They were a little right, I understand them, but it cost me my place for the World Cup (replaced by Sven-Goran Eriksson), when we had done an exceptional course.
The players called me during the World Cup and regretted me
Vahid Halilhodzic
Algeria was our first defeat. It was more than disrespect, it was really disgusting, I lived it very badly, I received a fax, I was not even received by the president, not even by the secretary for m ‘to explain. + You did not win the CAN, it’s over +: I was told with cruel words, without any class. The players called me during the World Cup and regretted me. It was he (Eriksson) who collected the money for his huge staff and benefited from my job. «
2014: with Algeria, « we missed very little »
“The 2014 World Cup is one of my best memories. When I arrived (in 2011), I completely rebuilt the team, and it was not easy. I remember the criticisms when I made play guys like (Islam) Slimani, Ryad Mahrez … Today they understood that I was right. This World Cup (round of 16 lost against Germany 2-1 after) is a reward for all our work.
The Germans said their toughest game was against Algeria.
Vahid Halilhodzic
On the way back, the welcome was phenomenal, I don’t know how many people there were in the streets, from the airport to the presidential palace. We took 5 to 6 hours instead of 20 minutes! We almost did one of the greatest exploits, this match against Germany, we missed it very little. I never saw this match again, it’s a great memory but it’s one of my biggest regrets as a coach. At half-time, I said: + It’s now guys, we must not be afraid, we must have confidence, we can win this match! +
In extra time, I knew it was becoming almost impossible, Germany were the best team in the world. But we have all been the protagonists of this game. The Germans said their toughest game was against Algeria. (Her tears) I stayed on the pitch, I knew we had missed a feat. «
