Halilhodzic named Morocco coach

Fouzi Lekjaa (L), president of the Moroccan Football Federation, hands a team uniform to Vahid Halilhodzic, new coach of the moroccan national football team, during a press conference in Rabat, Morocco, Aug. 15, 2019. Moroccan Football Federation on Thursday appointed Vahid Halilhodzic as new coach of the national team. (Xinhua)

RABAT, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Moroccan Football Federation on Thursday appointed French-Bosnian Vahid Halilhodzic as new coach of the national team.

Halilhodzic replaces French Herve Renard who resigned after three and a half years in charge following Morocco's last-16 exit at the Africa Cup of Nations 2019.

Halilhodzic was presented Thursday in Rabat to the press, along with his new staff.

"It's an honor and great responsibility for me," said Halilhodzic.

"My prime goal is the qualification for FIFA World Cup 2022," he added.

Halilhodzic worked as a manager for many football clubs and national teams, including Paris Saint Germain, Cote d'Ivoire, Algeria, Japan, and Nantes.

He is very familiar with Morocco's football as he coached Raja of Casablanca in the 1990s and won the 1997 CAF Champions League in December 1997, and the 1997-98 Moroccan Championship in May 1998.