BANGUI: Former Came­roon captain and coach Rigo­b­ert Song has been appointed to take over the Central Afr­ican Republics national football team, the country’s spo­rts ministry said on Tuesday without disclosing any terms.

The 48-year-old Song, who played as a central defender for his country at four World Cups and then coached the Indomitable Lions at the finals in Qatar in 2022, takes over from the Swiss coach Raoul Savoy, who was fired in Octo­ber during their unsu­c­cessful Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

They are, however, still involved in World Cup qualification and resume their campaign in March with home matches against Madagascar and Mali.

The Central African Republic sit in fifth place in Group I with four points from four matches, five behind co-leaders Comoros and Ghana.

Song, whose club career took in spells at Liverpool, West Ham United, Racing Lens and Galatasaray, had a confrontation with Andre Onana during the last World Cup that led to the goalkeeper leaving the tournament in Qatar.

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2025