Coach Claude Leroy will stay on to train the DR Congo at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations on Friday afternoon even though he is still protesting, insiders have exclusively told MTNFootball.com.
The Frenchman has been persuaded by officials of the DR Congo over his decision to quit the Leopards with just two days before they face Ghana in their opening Group B game in South Africa.
Leroy resigned on Thursday night in a row with the federation and government over bonus payments for the entire DR Congo contingent for the tournament.
Despite resigning the coach stayed in camp which gave officials the chance to engage him and persuade to return to the team.
With the country facing a huge embarrassment over the confusion over the bonuses, leaders of the DR Congo have pleaded with Leroy to stay, a top insider has told MTNFootball.com.
The Frenchman has agreed to coach the side on Friday evening at their base in Port Elizabeth, but while frantic effots are being made to seek an amicable solution over the matter.
MTNFootball.com has been exclusively told the details of Leroy’s anger over the bonuses.
The reliable insider said the Frenchman’s anger stemmed from his exclusion from the list of officials to get winning bonuses for winning matches at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Leroy and his assistants have not been included in the list of the people to benefit for winning bonuses which has irked him and his assistant.
The Frenchman handed over his resignation letter to Theo Binamungu, the federation’s member in charge of the national team in Port Elizabeth where the Leopards are based.
Leroy resigned along with his assistant Sebastian Migne in his letter addressed to DR Congo head of state President Joseph Kabila.
The 64-year-old Leroy was in his second spell in charge of the Leopards.
Leroy coached DR Congo to the 2006 Nations Cup, but then decided against renewing his contact in April that year.
The Leopards are a traditional powerhouse of African football, having won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1968 and 1974 .
DR Congo are in Group B along with Ghana, Mali and Niger.