Stielike is putting family concerns first

Ivory Coast have temporarily replaced coach Ulrich Stielike, two weeks before the start of the Africa Nations Cup.

The German coach has dropped his duties with the team to attend to his son, who has fallen into a coma.

French coach Gerard Gili, who steered Ivory Coast's under-23 team to their first Olympic Games in Beijing this year, is taking over from Stielike.

Gili was also part of the Elephants' coaching team at the 2006 Nations Cup.

Hopes of quick return

The Ivorian Football Federation (Fif) hopes that Stielike will be back with the Elephants soon.

"Stielike has a few family problems, notably his son who is in quite a critical situation," said Fif secretary general Ouattara Hegaud.

"While we wait for Stielike's family situation to normalise, the team's preparations will be directed by Gerard Gili.

"Everything that was planned by Stielike remains the same, this is simply a human issue.

"But I think it is an issue which will be resolved very quickly and we will again see Stielike leading this team."

Stielike has not ruled out the possibility of being back with the team during the Nations Cup.

"I'll definitely miss the first two matches. Everything beyond that depends on my son's condition," he said.

Stielike has been Ivory Coast coach since October 2006.

He began by putting together an unbeaten run of six matches without conceding a goal.