Rigobert Song takes Charge of Central African Republic’s Football rebuild
Rigobert Song has been appointed as the new head coach of the Central African Republic national football team, marking his return to management nearly a year after leaving Cameroon’s Lions Indomptables.
The announcement came on Monday evening via a ministerial decree, naming Song as the leader of a revamped coaching staff that includes Éloge Enza-Yamissi, Sébastien Ngato, and Éric Cabalero.
The appointment signals a fresh start for the Central African Republic, a nation that has yet to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Song’s primary task will be to reinvigorate the team, currently struggling in both AFCON and 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The Fauves (wild beast) sit fifth in Group I with just four points from four matches. Song’s debut will come in March with back-to-back World Cup qualifiers against Madagascar and Mali.
Adding complexity to his mandate, there is speculation over whether Song will also oversee the nation’s A’ team, which recently made history by qualifying for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) for the first time.
This feat was achieved under Sébastien Ngato, who masterminded a stunning win over Cameroon in the qualifiers.
As the CHAN draw looms on January 15, all eyes are on Song to see if he can craft a competitive future for Central African football on multiple fronts.
