
Cameroonian football legend Rigobert Song has been named as the new head coach of Central African Republic following a meeting with the nation's president on Monday.
Most recently in charge of the national team of his native country, Song announced his visit to Cameroon's eastern neighbor on social media and posted a picture of him visiting President Faustin Archange Touadéra in the president's office. While not announcing his new position in the post, local news outlets reported the news in the ensuing hours.
The 48-year-old takes charge after an interim period under former long time player Eloge Enza Yamissi. Yamissi led Les Fauves to defeats against Lesotho and Gabon to conclude a failed campaign to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Previously, Swiss coach Raoul Savoy led Central African Republic to some notable results over three years in charge before departing in unceremonious fashion claiming that the nation's government owed him €160,000. During Savoy's tenure, Central African Republic showed marked improvement thanks to a combination of the recruitment of dual national players and improved youth development.
Reports indicate that Yamissi will remain as an assistant to Song who previously spent two years in charge of Cameroon after spells in charge of the under-23 national team and the domestic-based team for the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
With the senior team, the former defender and all-time appearance holder for Cameroon qualified the Indomitable Lions to the 2022 FIFA World Cup where they stunned Brazil 1-0 but failed to qualify from the group stage. Song was dismissed after Cameroon fell 2-0 in the Round of 16 to Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
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