Bubista has resigned from his post as Cape Verde head coach to join Moroccan club RS Berkane while Ivory Coast have hired Herve Renard for a second spell in charge.
Bubista guided the island nation to the last 32 of the World Cup last month, where the Blue Sharks were beaten 3-2 by eventual runners-up Argentina after extra time
The 56-year-old also reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with Cape Verde, having taken charge in January 2020.
He has signed a two-year deal with RS Berkane, who finished second in the Moroccan top flight last season, and replaces Moin Chaabani, who has been appointed as Tunisia’s new head coach.
Renard has won the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) twice as a coach including with Ivory Coast in 2015. He previously led Zambia to a fairy tale title in 2012.
The Ivorians lost 2-1 to Norway in the last 32 at the World Cup and decided not to renew Emerse Fae’s deal when it expired at the end of last month.
The former Nantes and Reading midfielder took over the reins midway through the 2023 Afcon – after the Elephants had failed in a bid to reappoint Renard – and the tournament hosts were crowned champions following a remarkable run through the knockout stage.
Renard has had stints with Morocco, Saudi Arabia (twice) and France’s women since leaving Ivory Coast in May 2015, and was in the dugout for Tunisia for two games at this year’s World Cup.
The length of the 57-year-old’s contract has not been disclosed and the Frenchman is expected in Abidjan “in the coming days” to take up his official duties.
Bubista hailed for ‘dedication’
Bubista’s sustained success with Cape Verde has raised his profile across the continent.
And while RS Berkane, from the north-east of Morocco, are not traditionally seen as one of the kingdom’s big clubs they have enjoyed success in recent years.They claimed their first domestic league title in 2024-25 and are three-time winners of the Caf Confederation Cup, Africa’s second tier continental club competition.
Berkane caused controversy in 2024 by wearing a shirt in the Confederation Cup which featured a map of Morocco including the disputed territory of Western Sahara.
Cape Verde qualified for the World Cup for the first time ahead of Cameroon and the debutants proved to be the underdog story of this year’s finals.
Cape Verde’s football federation thanked Bubista for his “dedication, professionalism, and contribution to the development of the national team’s sporting project” before wishing him “much success” in his future endeavours.
Another African World Cup manager departs
Bubista becomes the latest coach to leave one of the 10 African sides which appeared at the World Cup.
Vladimir Petkovic parted company with Algeria, who exited against Switzerland in the last 32, by mutual consent on Monday.
The 62-year-old Bosnian, who was appointed in February 2024, had extended his contract with the Desert Foxes until 2028 earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Hugo Broos stepped down as South Africa boss when his contract expired at the end of July, with the 74-year-old deciding to retire from management.
Senegal sacked Pape Thiaw in the wake of their dramatic last-32 exit against Belgium, with the country’s football federation saying it had made the decision “in the best interests of Senegalese football”.
The Teranga Lions have been linked with former France and Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira as a possible replacement.
Elsewhere, Tunisia appointed Chaabani on a four-year deal last month.
The 45-year-old replaced Renard, who himself took over the Carthage Eagles one game into their Group F campaign when Sabri Lamouchi was removedafter a 5-1 defeat by Sweden.
Internal discussions are continuing at the Ghana Football Association after Carlos Queiroz led the Black Stars to the last 32, where the West Africans lost 1-0 to Colombia.
Queiroz appeared to announce his own departure on social media shortly after that defeat.
