Cote d’Ivoire have named Ibrahim Kamara as their new head coach, finally finding a successor for Marc Wilmots after seven months without a manager.

The Elephants parted ways with Wilmots in November following the Belgian’s failure to secure World Cup qualification, and have opted for Kamara as the man to secure the West Africans’ spot at the 2019 African Cup of Nations.

Kamara, who had previously been head coach of the Elephants’ home-based team, was Herve Renard’s assistant during the AFCON-winning campaign of 2015.

He’s the first local coach to take the helm of the national side since Francois Zahoui’s exit in 2012.

Speaking to www.soka25east.com FIF President Sidy Diallo acknowledged the new development “Its true we have appointed Camara in a two year renewable deal with a performance based contract to steer Cote d’ivore as we begin preparations for 2019 Afcon to be hosted by Cameroon” Diallo said

The delay between Wilmots’ exit and Kamara’s appointment was due to a fiscal deficiency, with the federation unable to afford a new coach while paying off Wilmots’ outstanding fees.

The Elephants missed out on Russia after qualifying for the last three World Cups, in 2006, 2010 and 2014.