March 31, (THEWILL) – New France Coach, Herve Renard, has named his squad for the upcoming friendlies against Colombia and Canada, recalling Wendie Renard and Eugenie Le Sommer, after their public boycott under former coach Corinne Diacre.
THEWILL recalls that the boycott also saw forwards, Kadidiatou Diani and Marie-Antoinette Katoto, pull out, but the latter two are unavailable due to injury. While 32-year-old Wendie Renard’s captaincy is yet to be confirmed, Coach Renard has assured Katoto that she is a big part of his future plans.
The appointment of Renard, who resigned as coach of Saudi Arabia’s men’s team, marks the end of Diacre’s five-and-a-half-year reign. The French Football Federation had criticised the manner in which the players had boycotted, but Renard has been given a free hand in squad selection.
Renard also indicated that Amandine Henry, who dropped off the international group under Diacre’s regime, had received a positive message. Renard’s contract with Les Bleues runs until August 2024, with the coach set to lead France at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The squad selection for the upcoming friendlies marks a fresh start for the French women’s national team as they plan for the Women’s World Cup, to be hosted by Australia and New Zealand, in July and August.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
