Cameroon Government Sidelines Eto'o and Song in Lions Indomptables Rebuild

While the succession plan for Rigobert Song's role as the team's head coach was under intense scrutiny, President Paul Biya has personally intervened in the selection of the next coach.

According to sources familiar with the matter, a strategic meeting was convened at the General Secretariat of the Prime Minister's Office to deliberate on the modalities for the team's reconstruction following its performance at the recent Africa Cup of Nations (CAN). Despite their prominent positions within the Cameroonian Football Federation, both Samuel Eto'o, the federation's president, and Rigobert Song, the team's manager, were conspicuously absent from this crucial gathering.

The appointment of the future coach will adhere to a stringent procedure, including a call for applications followed by a pre-selection process conducted by a technical commission. Finalists will undergo an audition before the presidency makes the ultimate decision.

This decision to exclude Eto'o and Song underscores the government's commitment to a transparent and merit-based approach to team management. By involving independent technical experts in the selection process, the government aims to ensure that the next coach is chosen based on qualifications and suitability for the role, rather than personal affiliations or influence.

As the search for a new coach commences, the eyes of the footballing world will be keenly focused on the unfolding developments, eager to witness the next chapter in the storied history of the Lions Indomptables.