DailySun
In a surprising turn of events, the Central African Republic Football Federation has distanced itself from the recent decision to appoint Cameroonian football legend Rigobert Song as the new head coach of the national team, labeling the move as unilateral.
The former captain of the Indomitable Lions was officially introduced on Monday via a government decree after discussions with President Faustin-Archange Touadera. The FCF expressed its astonishment and dissatisfaction upon discovering the decision through social media.
In an official statement, the federation announced that it had neither been consulted nor informed about the decision-making process that occurred behind closed doors, which goes against the norms that regulate sports federations. This scenario raises concerns about potential frictions between the sports ministry and the football governing body.
Furthermore, the FCF maintains that the authority to establish recruitment policies lies solely with them, and there was already a strategy underway to nationalize the coaching position, with Eloge Enza Yamissi set to lead a fully Central African technical team.
Nevertheless, the Central African Republic is eager to achieve a peaceful resolution to this issue, particularly as the nation has recently rekindled its passion for football after qualifying for the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The statement emphasized: “The Central African Football Federation was taken by surprise by the announcement through social media concerning decree No. 022/MP/SEC/DIR-CAB.2025, dated January 13, 2025, which appointed selectors for the national team A.”
“The executive committee of the Central African Football Federation held an extraordinary meeting on January 14, 2025, to inform national and international stakeholders that it was not involved or consulted in this decision-making process.
“Consequently, it asserts that it does not support this unilateral decision, which contradicts established provisions – ‘Decisions regarding the recruitment of members of management structures must remain within the exclusive purview and responsibility of the executive committee of the federations.’
“Thus, the Central African Federation has chosen to nationalize the coaching position for the Fauves A. The interim will be overseen by a fully Central African Republic technical team led by Eloge Enza Yamissi, former captain of the Fauves A.
“In light of the Central African Republic’s recent qualification for the African Nations Championships (CHAN), and at a time when President Faustin Archange Touadera is intensifying efforts to promote harmony among citizens, the Central Football Federation, in accordance with this vision, aims to prevent any actions that could lead to unnecessary conflict between the sports ministry and the governing body of Central African Football.
It is worth noting that in February 2022, FIFA suspended the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) due to government interference, resulting in a ban affecting all national teams – men, women, and youth – and restricting clubs from participating in continental competitions.
