Frenchman Pierre Lechantre has been appointed coach of Senegal in preference to compatriot Bruno Metsu, who guided them to the 2002 World Cup quarter-finals.

Lechantre has previous experience of coaching in Africa having won the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations and Olympic title with Cameroon.

The 62-year-old Lechantre replaces Amara Traore, who was sacked after a disastrous Cup of Nations finals earlier this year when Senegal exited in the group phase, and has vowed to put his own imprint on Senegalese football.

The Frenchman, who has also coached Mali, faces his first competitive match on June 2 against Liberia in a 2014 World Cup qualifier.