Rigobert Song Bahanag ended his two-year tenure as head coach of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon on Wednesday, February 28 when the country’s minister of sports and physical education Professor Narcisse Mouelle Kombi informed him and the entire technical crew that they won’t be offered new contracts.
The move to discontinue collaboration with the staff led by coach Song marked the end of an era which wasn’t short of its own stories.
Despite winning just six out of the 23 games he managed, coach Song also produced a few great moments that cannot be swept under the carpet.
The last minute qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the qualification for AFCON 2023 plus the brilliant FIFA World Cup victory against Brazil and the comeback 3-3 draw against Serbia represents some of the standout moments.
When Cameroon defeated Algeria 2-1 in extra time, Coach Song became the first trainer to beat the hosts at the Mustapha Tchaker Stadium in Blida, where the home side had not lost since it’s inaugural game in 2002.
Before Song brought his boys over, Algeria had totalled 36 wins and seven draws in 43 games – scoring 118 and conceding just 22.
Not only did Cameroon break this jinx, Song was right in the heart of it as well, notably instructing Kunde Malong to ditch the long throw he wanted to go for and rather make a short throw to Fai Collins. That action led to the glorious winner from Karl Toko Ekambi that qualified Cameroon for the 2022 World Cup.
At the 2022 World Cup, Rigobert Song, who was one of the three least paid coaches in the competition, became only the first African coach to beat Brazil in the World Cup. In seven previous attempts by African nations, Brazil scored 20 and conceded just two goals.
Rigobert Song also gave Cameroon their second best ever World Cup performance with 4 points and 4 goals scored. Only the 1990 performance was better.
Added to the above are the last minute qualification for the AFCON in Côte D’Ivoire and the enigmatic approach of responding to questions. All these added to the achievements of the legendary skipper of the Indomitable Lions cum coach.
Pitched by Ade Divine and edited by the kick442.com team
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