Raymond Zarpanelian, a former coach of Sierra Leone died at the age of 78.

The Franco-Armenian passed away a week ago at a hospital in Paris after a protracted battle with kidney cancer, Sierra Express Media reported.

Zarpanelian was the first Frenchman to lead an Anglophone team after guiding Sierra Leone at the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994 in Tunis. He also had stints with AS Bobo Dioulasso of Burkina Faso and Saudi Club, Al Nasr. Until his death, he was linked to the technical director of Central African Republic.

Zarpanelian was laid to rest on April 6 in Paris.