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Tag: Rigobert Song

  • Confusion in Central African Republic  after Song’s appointment

    Confusion in Central African Republic  after Song’s appointment

     Former Cameroon captain and coach Rigobert Song has been appointed to take charge of the Central African Republic’s national team by the country’s sports ministry, a decision rejected by the football federation.

    The 48-year-old Song, who played as a central defender for his country at four World Cups and then coached the Indomitable Lions at the finals in Qatar in 2022, met with the country’s president Faustin-Archange Touadera on Monday after which his appointment was announced by a government decree.

    But the Central African Football Federation said it had learned “with dismay and surprise through social networks” of the decree and “was not consulted in the taking of this decision”.

    It said it rejected the appointment but “would like to avoid any action aimed at creating an unnecessary crisis between the ministry in charge of sports and the body in charge of management of Central African football”.

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    In several African countries, the government pays the salary of the national coach, giving them undue influence in the running of football matters.

    Song succeeds Swiss coach Raoul Savoy, who was fired in October during their unsuccessful Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

    The Central African Republic is, however, still involved in World Cup qualification and resumes their campaign in March with home matches against Madagascar and Mali.

    They sit in fifth place in Group I with four points from four matches, five behind co-leaders Comoros and Ghana.

    Song, whose club career took in spells at Liverpool, West Ham United, Racing Lens and Galatasaray, had a confrontation with Andre Onana during the last World Cup that led to the goalkeeper leaving the tournament in Qatar.

  • Cameroon part  ways with Rigobert Song 

    Cameroon part  ways with Rigobert Song 

    Rigobert Song has left his job as Cameroon head coach, the Cameroonian football federation (FECAFOOT) president Samuel Eto’o  has said.

    Cameroon were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations in the last 16 in January by eventual runners-up Nigeria.

    “We have not achieved our objectives, and our executive committee and I do not see ourselves renewing the contract (with Song),” Eto’o told France 24.

    Song, a former international teammate of Eto’o, was appointed as Cameroon boss in February 2022.

    Read Also: Song blames inexperience to Cameroon loss to Nigeria

    He helped the Indomitable Lions to a dramatic play-off victory over Algeria in extra time to qualify for the Qatar World Cup.

    But five-time African champions Cameroon were dumped out in the group stage, despite a surprise victory over Brazil in their final game.

    “Song brought a lot to this team,” added Eto’o. “Now we have to think about the future.”

    Former Liverpool midfielder Song only won six of his 23 matches in charge.

  • Song blames inexperience to Cameroon loss to Nigeria

    Song blames inexperience to Cameroon loss to Nigeria

    Cameroon Coach Rigobert Song has attributed his team’s defeat to Super Eagles to the inexperience of his players.

    The Indomitable Lions suffered a 2-0 loss to Super Eagles in the round of 16 Africa Cup of Nations clash on Saturday at the Stade , with Ademola Lookman scoring both goals.

    Speaking after the game, Song added that he is building a next generation of stars for the Indomitable Lions, stressing that they would be ready in two years.

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    “We faced a Nigerian team that was well organized. At a time, we were in the game but later it became difficult for us. My players lacked experience to play against Nigeria. We played with young players and my players are not capable to play to some certain level. I’m rebuilding and it takes lots of time to rebuild a team. I think by two or three years they would be better,” Song said

    “My players played with fear. When you face a team like Nigeria, it can disturb you. We tried our best but our best was not enough. Let us acknowledged that they have done their best but they lack experience to face a team like Nigeria.”

    The former Cameroon captain said he will learn from his side’s defeat to Nigeria.

    “This is a game that you learn every day. When you are a player and manager, it is a very different thing. I’m still learning and I am open to criticism but constructing criticism.”