Chad's new national team coach has been confirmed as former Cameroon boss Jean-Paul Akono.

Akono was first contacted by the Chad FA at the end of May, but discussions about personal terms had delayed his appointment until now.

But speaking on Cameroonian television, the coach, who took the Indomitable Lions to Olympic gold at Sydney 2000, said he was looking forward to helping Chad take significant footballing strides.

"I think my main task will be to introduce Chad into high (level) competition football," Akono said from the Chad capital N�djamena.

"But it will also be important that I work hard with the boys to qualify them for the next African Nations Cup in 2004," he added.

Chad has never qualified for the finals tournament of the Nations Cup or any other major international competition.