The Central African Football Federation (FCF) has snubbed Rigobert Song’s appointment as head coach of the national team, as it announced that Eloge Enza will be the one unveiling the squad list for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The announcement widens the rift with the Sports Ministry, who unveiled Song as the coach this week, a move that sparked threats from FIFA to ban the country claiming government interference in the sport.
A press conference is scheduled for Tuesday, March 11, where the squad for the crucial qualification matches will be revealed.
However, in its announcement, the FCF made no mention of Rigobert Song, who was previously presented as the manager-coach by the country’s sports authorities.
Instead, the federation confirmed that Éloge Enza, the current head coach, will lead the event.
Confusion Over Song’s Role
The federation’s statement, published on its official Facebook page, explicitly referred to Enza as the head coach, fueling speculation about Song’s actual role in the team.
“On Tuesday, March 11, at 11 a.m., the coach of the Fauves, Éloge Enza, will hold a press conference to officially announce the list of players selected for the next two World Cup qualifying matches,” the FCF’s message read.
This has led to renewed uncertainty about whether Song will have any direct influence over team selection or tactical decisions.
A Leadership Dispute?
Rigobert Song, former Cameroon coach and national team legend, was introduced by ministerial authorities as the manager-coach of the Central African Republic’s national team.
However, his absence from this key squad announcement event raises serious questions about the extent of his authority and whether the FCF fully recognizes his appointment.
For weeks, speculation has surrounded Song’s true involvement with the Fauves du Bas-Oubangui project. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers fast approaching, clarity is needed regarding the team’s technical leadership.
Song’s appointment was expected to bring stability and experience to the national team.
However, with the FCF seemingly backing Enza as head coach, the situation has created a power struggle that could disrupt preparations for the upcoming qualifiers.
Looking Ahead
The Central African Republic will soon resume their World Cup qualification campaign, but with a divided leadership, concerns about the team’s direction continue to mount.
For now, all eyes will be on the March 11 press conference, where the federation’s stance on the coaching situation may become clearer.
