Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) is set to appoint former Indomitable Lions captain Rigobert Song as new national team head coach.
Song, who retired from international football in 2010, will officially take the role on February 23 after looming dismissal of Antonio Conceicao.
Jeune Afrique reports suggest that FECAFOOT has settled on Song following successful intricate deal that will see Canceicao’s smooth exit as Indomitable Lions coach.
The Portuguese exit has been orchestrated by fallout between FECAFOOT boss Samuel Etoo and the Minister of Sports Narcisse Kombi following the country’s third-place finish in 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Kombi had told Cameroonian broadcaster CRTV that Conceicao would be in charge for the upcoming international fixtures next month.
Song has been out of the game since leaving his post as Cameroon U-23 head coach after the end of the 2020 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
At the time, the 46-year-old said he wanted to take a break from the game but did not rule out a return at some point.
During his playing career, Song won over 100 caps for the Indomitable Lions, and also became the first African to play at four World Cups.
Having made his international debut against Mexico in 1993, the former Galatasaray defender captained Cameroon for 10 years until Eto’o took on the role in late 2009.
In 2003, he witnessed the death of Marc-Vivien Foe, who died on the pitch during Cameroon’s Confederations Cup match against Colombia.
Song retired from international football in 2010 after playing at the World Cup in South Africa – the only time the tournament has been held on the continent.
Highlights of his club career include a four-year spell at Turkish side Galatasaray and three years in England playing for Liverpool and West Ham between 1999 and 2002.
