The French Didier Gomes Da Rosa has just taken the head of the Mauritanian football team. He is in Qatar for the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup (November 30-December 18). The former coach of Simba SC, in Tanzania, is preparing the Mauritania team for the next Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, next January.
Far from the frost of European winter, Didier Gomes Da Rosa is in Qatar. It must be said that the new coach of Mauritania is a man on the move. At 52, the one who lives his first coaching experience is already on the bridge for the Arab FIFA Cup. Here he is in the barely named bath, on November 17th. Tuesday, November 30, the Mourabitounes will face Tunisia for their entry into the competition.
Go to the essentials, be pragmatic
” We started our internship in Morocco a week ago and here we are in Qatar. I am happy to have taken the team in hand quickly. This is what I wanted to prepare well for the CAN. This competition will allow us to progress and to review the workforce. », Explains the new coach.
Managing a team in selection will it be more complicated for Didier Gomes Da Rosa? “ I think it’s the same. I have a very paternal management and I like to be closer to the players. It’s true, we have less time to prepare our activities and our strategies. And also less time to explain our playing philosophy. So, we have to get to the point and be pragmatic. He says. The former coach of Simba in Tanzania, whom he led until the quarter-finals of the previous edition of the Champions League before leaving at the end of October, can count on around forty internationals.
Next January, Mauritania, which is no longer in the race for a place at the 2022 World Cup, will participate in its second African Cup of Nations. In 2019, in Egypt, the Mourabitounes were eliminated in the first round.
In Cameroon, the Mauritanians hope to pass the group stage to show some progress in group F. It will be necessary to shine against Tunisia, Mali and Gambia.
“It’s fascinating to be in the field”
” The match against Gambia will be essential “, Admits the new coach, in love with the African continent. ” It’s exciting to be on the pitch, to lead a team, to teach the players things. Everywhere I went, I found happiness. In Rwanda, Algeria or Egypt, I have experienced extraordinary moments. I also remember my time in Sudan, in Khartoum with the Al Merreikh team, which I particularly appreciated. », Testifies Didier Gomes Da Rosa, who also knew Guinea with Horoya.
Today, he has set himself the goal of a second round of the next CAN. “ There is potential and a significant room for improvement in Mauritania. It’s true, there are two clear favorites with Mali and Tunisia, but we can compete if we beat Gambia in our first game. It will already be like a semi-final. Mauritania must take a step », Didier Gomes Da Rosa poster.