Former Portuguese international defender Jorge Costa has been appointed coach of Gabon, replacing compatriot Paulo Duarte, the national federation confirmed on Friday.

It will be the 42-year-old's first experience of coaching in Africa and he has signed a two-year deal with an option to extend.

Costa was coach of Portuguese side Pacos Ferreira since February, and previously held coaching jobs in Romania and Cyprus.

Capped 50 times for Portugal, he spent most of his playing career with Porto.

His task will be to qualify Gabon for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015 and the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

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