Veteran French coach Claude Le Roy has revealed that he has travelled to all 54 countries on the African continent, highlighting a remarkable connection with African football built over several decades.
Le Roy, who has spent much of his coaching career working across Africa, said the continent has given him a great deal and recalled how he completed his journey to every African nation.
“I owe so much to this continent, without any exaggeration. I have been to all 54 countries,” Le Roy said.
He explained that São Tomé and Príncipe was among the final countries he had yet to visit while he was based in the Republic of Congo. Former Auxerre president Gérard Bourgoin subsequently helped him complete the trip after discovering that Le Roy had not yet visited the island nation.
“Gérard Bourgoin, the former Auxerre president, told me: ‘You haven’t been there? Well, let’s go tomorrow,’” Le Roy recalled.
Bourgoin, who had an oil well in Pointe-Noire, arranged for the pair to fly to São Tomé in his private plane. Le Roy also recalled another connection with the region, noting that he had first visited Brazzaville as a player in December 1971 while representing AC Ajaccio.
The journey underlines Le Roy’s extraordinary association with African football, having worked in several countries across the continent during a coaching career that has spanned decades.
