Former Liverpool Defender Rigobert Song — PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 19: Rigobert Song of Cameroon looks on during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group E match between Cameroon and Denmark at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on June 19, 2010 in Tshwane/Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Shaun Botterill - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Former Liverpool Defender Appointed Manager of the Cameroonian National Football Team

March 1, 2022

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon finished third at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations tournament which they hosted. They defeated Burkina Faso 4-3 on penalties in the third place play-off. António Conceição da Silva Oliveira, who took over from Clarence Seedorf in 2019, was in charge during that tournament. The 60-year old Portuguese tactician coached the Cameroonian national team for over two years. He was dismissed as manager on February 28, 2022.

Former Liverpool Defender Rigobert Song Succeeds Antonio Conceicao as Manager

Rigobert Song Returns to the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon as Manager

In December 2021, Samuel Eto’o was elected president of the Cameroonian Football Federation known as FECAFOOT. Two months after, another ex-player has been placed at the helm of affairs. Former Cameroonian defender Rigobert Song has been confirmed as Concecaio’s replacement. Song had previously served as caretaker manager of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in the year 2018.

The official press statement released by Cameroon’s Minister of Sports read;

“The Minister of Sports and Physical Education has the honor to inform the public that, on Very High Instructions from the President of the Republic, passed on by correspondence No 232/CR/SG/PR of February 28, 2022, the coach of the national men’s football team, Mr. Antonio CONCEICAO, and the technical staff of the Indomitable Lions are replaced by the following officials:

“National Coach: Mr. SONG Rigobert;

“Assistant National Coach: Mr. MIGNE Sebastien;

“The Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT) is invited to take the necessary measures, as far as it is concerned, for a harmonious and rapid implementation of these Very High Directives, in order to allow the Indomitable Lions to face, in the best conditions possible, important future sporting events.”

Song is Cameroon’s most capped player of all time with 137 appearances. Alongside Egypt’s Ahmed Hassan, he is one of two players to have played at eight different AFCON tournaments, five of which he captained his team. He won two of those eight tournaments (AFCON 2000 and AFCON 2002). He played for various clubs including Premier League side Liverpool where he spent one season, making a total of 35 appearances. He has all the experience as a player, but how well will he fare as a manager?

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