Central African Contests Song’s Appointment

In a shocking twist of events, the Central African Republic Football Federation has distanced itself from the recent appointment of Cameroon legend Rigobert Song as the new coach of the national team, deeming the decision unilateral.
The former Indomitable Lions captain was announced on Monday through a government decree following a meeting with President Faustin-Archange Touadera. The FCF expressed dismay and surprise after learning about the decision on social media.
In an official statement, the federation claims that it was not consulted or informed on the proceedings behind the scenes, which contradicts the regulations governing the management of sports federations – highlighting concerns over potential chaos between the sports ministry and football management.
Moreover, the recruitment policy is exclusively prerogative to the FCF, and a plan was already in motion to nationalize the coach’s position with Eloge Enza Yamissi entrusted to lead the fully Central African technical team.
However, the Central African nation would prefer a peaceful resolution to the matter. This comes in the wake of the country’s renewed interest in football following their qualification for the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The statement read: “The Central African Football Federation learned with dismay and surprise through social networks of decree No. 022/MP/SEC/DIR-CAB.2025, of 13 January 2025, appointing the selectors of the national team A.
“The executive committee of the Central African Football Federation, meeting in extraordinary session on 14 January 2025, informs the national and international opinion that it was not associated or consulted in taking this decision.
“Consequently, it declares that it does not recognize itself in this unilateral decision contrary to the provisions in force – ‘Decisions concerning the recruitment of members of the management structures must remain among the rights and competencies reserved solely for the executive committee of the federations’.
“To do this, the Central African Federation decided to nationalize the position of coach of the Fauves A. This is how the interim was entrusted to an entirely Central African Republic technical staff led by Eloge Enza Yamissi, former captain of the Fauve’s A.
“Following the latest result of the qualification of the Central African Republic for the African Nations Championships (CHAN) and at a time when the president of the Republic, Head of State, Professor Faustin Archange Touadera is increasing efforts to consolidate peace between the daughters and sons of the country, the Central Football Federation, which is part of this vision, would like to avoid any action aimed at creating unnecessary crisis between the ministry in charge of Sports and the body in charge of managing Central African Football.
Interestingly, in February 2022, FIFA suspended the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) for government interference, which saw all national teams – men, women, and youth suffer from the ban, while clubs could not play in continental competitions.