Conceicao out, Song in for Indomitable Lions

Antonio Conceicao da Silva Oliveira, coach of Cameroon during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Afcon Finals football Cameroon and Ethiopia at Olembe Stadium in Yaounde, Cameroon on 13 January 2022 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

by Staff Reporter

Wednesday Mar 02, 2022. 08:49

Former Cameroon captain Rigobert Song has been named as the new head coach of the national team after Antonio Conceicao’s contract was not renewed.

Conceicao replaced Clarence Seedorf at the helm in September 2019 and guided the Indomitable Lions to third place at the recent Africa Cup of Nations on home soil.

However, the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) decided that a change was needed in their bid to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar at the end of the year.

The five-time African champions will take on Algeria in a crucial qualifying play-off double-header on March 25 and 29, with Song given the task of booking their place in the finals.

FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto’o and Song were former team-mates, having played together for their country from 1997 to 2010.

“The Cameroonian Football Federation announces to the public opinion and the family of the sport, the end of the contact of Coach Antonio Conceicao,” Eto’o said in a statement on Monday.

“This is an opportunity to thank him and all his staff for the work done with our National Selection.

“The upcoming deadlines for our National Team require new orientations and a new breath. We wish him all the best in the future.”