Cameroon legend Rigobert Song named Central African Republic coach
Cameroon's head coach Rigobert Song looks on during the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2024 round of 16 football match against Nigeria at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on January 27, 2024.
What you need to know:
- 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, takes over from the Swiss coach Raoul Savoy, who was fired in October during their unsuccessful Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Cameroon legend Rigobert Song has been named head coach of the Central African Republic (CAR) senior men’s national team.
The former Cameroon head coach was unveiled on Monday. It is Song’s first coaching career outside his home country. He will be assisted by Éloge Enza-Yamissi, Sébastien Ngato, and Éric Cabalero.
Ngato led CAR in qualifying for the delayed 2024 the African Nations Championship (CHAN) to be staged in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania next month.
Details of Song’s contract including duration and salary were not disclosed, but the 48-year-old former captain of Cameroon arrived in the CAR capital Bangui on Monday and met with President Faustin Archange Touadera before the official announcement of his appointment through a decree issued by the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Civic Education.
He takes over a CAR side that failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and sit fourth in their group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Song led Indomitable Lions to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar shortly after his appointment in February of the same year.
However, the five times African champions failed to go past the group stages despite a dramatic victory over Brazil – the only victory they recorded at the tournament.
The much-celebrated victory against Brazil was one of just six victories he recorded in 23 matches during his two-year tenure that was also marked by a Round of 16 exit at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire before his dismissal.
