Mauritius have appointed Algerian Boualem Mankour as their new coach, the national association has confirmed.

Mankour, 49, has signed a two-year contract to lead ‘Club M’, which will include the COSAFA Cup slated to take place between June 13-27.

Mankour says he will be looking to refresh the national side, with Mauritius already out the running for both the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and 2022 FIFA World Cup.

“I will start by watching some games, talk with the coaches, clubs, the players in selection,” Mankour said.

“We will look for new talents – as the future is with the youth – as we start to prepare for the next two years but we already have two games against Djibouti at the end of March.

“There were some errors in the past and ‘Club M’ must have a Mauritian identity. Of course, we will need the expats, who bring some level, but we must look at local players.”

Meanwhile, COSAFA stalwart Zunaid Mall has been appointed head of development by the Mauritius Football Association.

South African national Mall has been heading up the Technical Study Groups at various COSAFA tournaments for a number of years.

“We have to look at what development is, and have signed up with the CAF convention. That means all the categories that are in the convention, we are going to try and implement. It will be a long-term project,” Mall said.

“Coach education, grassroots football, women’s football is very important. Once we get the youth development category in place, we have met some of our goals already.

“We have to get organized for the long-term development of coaches and players.”