Former RS Berkane and AS Vita coach Florent Ibenge has been appointed as new coach of Sudanese giants Al Hilal Omdurman.
The experienced Ibenge replaces the Portuguese manager Joao Mota, who was sacked in June after a string of poor results.
Uganda national team head coach Micho Sredojevic was rumored to be in the running for the job but officials opted for the Congolese instead.
The 60-year-old Ibenge has signed a two-year deal with the 29-time Sudanese champions, bringing to an end a lengthy search for a new manager.
Ibenge was previously in charge of Moroccan side RS Berkane and has extensive experience in African Club championships.
During his short in Morocco, he won with the Oranges to the 2021/2021 CAF Confederation Cup and the Throne Cup.
At his previous club AS Vita, Ibenge reached two CAF Interclub Cup finals, notably 2014 African Champions League and in 2018 African Confederation Cup.
As DR Congo coach, Ibenge won 2016 African Nations Championship and also steered the Leopards to a third-finish in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations- their best finish in the competition since 1998.
Ibenge has vowed to put his own imprint on Al Hilal as the club seeks to reach the dizzy heights of the 1990s.
His major task will be to retain the Sudan Premier League title and secure a place in the 2022/2023 Caf Champions League group stage.
