SCHWEINFURT, June 11: Roger Lemerre signed a contract extension ahead of Tunisia's World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia that could keep him as national coach until the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Lemerre had signed until the 2008 African Cup of Nations tournament, with an option to stay until the 2010 World Cup, Tunisia soccer association president Hammouda Ben Ammar said Sunday.

Lemerre, who guided France to the 2000 European Championship title, moved to Tunisia in the wake of Les Bleus' failed World Cup campaign in 2002.

He was in charge when Tunisia won the 2004 African Cup of Nations.

“The Federation considers Roger Lemerre's work in the last four years has been positive and wants to continue in the same direction,” said Ammar.—AP