Cote d'Ivoire have replaced coach Ulrich Stielike less than two weeks before the start of the African Nations Cup.

Stielike's son fell into a coma and the German resigned his post to be at his son's bedside

French coach Gerard Gili, who has steered Cote d'Ivoire under-23 team to their first Olympic Games in Beijing this year, is taking over from Stielike.

The Elephants are due to leave on Tuesday for a week-long training camp in Kuwait ahead of the start of the tournament in Ghana on Jan. 20.

Ivory Coast, runners-up in the previous tournament in Egypt two years ago and among the favourites, face Nigeria in their first match in Group B on Jan. 21. They also meet Mali and Benin in group matches.