Rigobert Song is the new coach of the Central African national Football team. But his appointment by the authorities created a real crisis in the country.
At the start of the week, the Central African Football Federation denounced the “unilateral” decision of the Minister of Sports, Rodolphe Héritier Doneng, who on Monday named the Cameroonian coach of the Central African team.
While he was supposed to sign his contract on Wednesday, it is still not done. But the Cameroonian technician says he is confident at the microphone of Jean-Fernand Koena, our correspondent in Bangui.
“We all play football, but there is being a footballer and being a competitor”
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Listen or read the interview transcript
Rigobert Song: In the sporting world, if you win, everything is fine. But when there are no results, it’s normal that you can be blamed. So we are prepared for that, we know what needs to be done so that… we always try to do what we can to achieve our goals.
The luck I have is that I practiced it as a footballer. I know what it takes and I know how to get there. I had the opportunity to be at the head of the Cameroon national team which still has the value that you know and my objectives were achieved.
-DW: As an experienced player, who are you banking on to achieve your objectives in the Beast Lair?
Rigobert Song: Already, you know, football is collective, but for some time now, I have been following the team. There is potential. We all play football, but there is being a footballer and being a competitor. These are two different things that need to be put into practice. Everyone can play. But are they competitors?
DW: We expected the signing of your contract. This did not happen. For what ?
Rigobert Song: From the moment you have the anointing of the first sportsman of the Central African Republic who is the head of state, do we still have to sign anything else? When we have missions, we must first go to the front and after the rest, we will see.
DW: Your nomination does not suit the Federation, which says it is aggrieved by not being involved in the process. This refers to the problem of the Cameroonian Football Federation with the appointment of Marc Brys (current coach of the Indomitable Lions, editor’s note). How are you coping with this situation?
Rigobert Song: No, I think there are things… I’m more technical, I’m not an administrator. I think these are small issues that are manageable. At some point, I think there will be a good collaboration that will ensure that everything goes well.
Rigobert Song succeeds Raoul Savoy, dismissed in October and whose interim role has since been taken over by Eloge Enza Yamissi, former captain of the Fauves.
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