Sunday, February 09, 2025

Unveiling Tomorrow's Cameroon Through Today's News

Breaking

BANGUI, Central African Republic, Jan. 14, 2025 — Rigobert Song Bahanag, former head coach of Cameroon’s national football team, has been named the new head coach of the Central African Republic’s national team, the "Bamara de Bas-Oubangui."

His appointment on Jan. 13, 2025, marks him as the third Cameroonian coach to lead a foreign national team.

Song’s mission is clear: to guide the Central African Republic (CAR) to its first-ever qualification for a major international tournament, including the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the FIFA World Cup.

A Legendary Career Taking on a Daunting Challenge

A decorated player with two African Cup of Nations titles and four FIFA World Cup appearances, Song’s coaching career has been more challenging. After parting ways with Cameroon’s national team in 2024 due to a poor run of results—4 wins, 7 draws, and 8 losses in 19 matches—Song now faces the daunting task of revitalizing a struggling CAR side ranked 128th by FIFA.

The team narrowly missed qualifying for the 2024 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire, finishing third in its group behind Angola and Ghana after losing two decisive matches late in the qualifiers. More recently, CAR ended at the bottom of its group during the qualifiers for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, securing only three points out of a possible 18.

A New Staff and Fresh Vision

Song will be supported by a trio of assistants, including Éric Cabalero, Sébastien Ngato (who recently eliminated Cameroon from the 2025 CHAN qualifiers in Bafoussam), and Éloge Yamissi Enza, a former interim head coach of CAR.

CAR has also bolstered its squad by naturalizing several foreign-born players, including Cameroonians such as striker Samuel Nlend, midfielder Jacob Youmbi Epandi, and goalkeeper Alladoum Kolimba. These players will be critical in Song’s efforts to build a cohesive and competitive team.

Cameroonian Coaches Abroad: A History of Mixed Results

Song joins a select group of Cameroonian coaches who have taken the helm of foreign national teams:

  • Jean-Paul Akono (2002): The only African Olympic champion coach, Akono led Chad’s national team for a year.
  • Cyprian Besogne Ashu (2019): Served as head coach of South Sudan’s national team.
  • François Omam-Biyik (2008): Initially recruited to coach CAR, but the project was derailed when the federation president, Patrice Édouard Ngaïssona, refused to sign the contract. Ngaïssona was later arrested and is currently detained by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

These ventures have largely been unsuccessful, leaving Song with an opportunity to rewrite the narrative and establish a new benchmark for Cameroonian coaches abroad.

Song’s Vision and the Road Ahead

Song is optimistic about the task ahead and has expressed a commitment to fostering growth and unity through football. His immediate focus will be on upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with key matches against Madagascar and Mali scheduled for March 2025.

The appointment of Rigobert Song represents a renewed ambition for CAR’s national team. If successful, it could mark a turning point for both Song’s coaching career and the future of football in the Central African Republic.