Swiss coach Raoul Savoy has reportedly been dismissed as head coach of the Central African Republic’s national team, according to reports from *Sport News Africa*. The decision to part ways with Savoy comes just weeks before the final rounds of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers, where Central Africa is set to face Lesotho and Gabon. The Central African Football Federation (FCF) has not yet released an official statement regarding the dismissal.
In a turn of events, former national team captain Eloge Enza-Yamissi, with 29 caps and one goal for Central Africa, is expected to serve as interim coach, though Savoy himself expressed surprise at the news.
“I am not aware” of any official decision, he told sources close to the matter. The Swiss manager, who has a deep history in African football, has previously coached in multiple African leagues and helmed the Gambian national team.
His latest term with Central Africa, his third since 2014, saw efforts to rejuvenate the squad and strengthen the team’s chances for a first-ever AFCON qualification.
However, the national team’s road to qualification remains steep, marred by setbacks and an uncertain financial environment.
Savoy reportedly has not received his salary for several months and has been working without a contract, a situation that could prompt him to pursue debt recovery against the FCF.
His tenure began with a promising 3-1 victory over Lesotho but was soon tempered by a 2-0 loss to Gabon, followed by two heavy defeats to Morocco (5-0 and 4-0).
With these results, the team currently sits third in Group B, trailing Gabon by four points, and must secure wins in their remaining matches to have any hope of progressing to the AFCON 2025.
If finalized, this decision places Central Africa’s qualifying campaign in uncharted waters, with Enza-Yamissi’s interim role coming at a pivotal moment.
The FCF’s silence leaves questions about the team’s future management and its strategy moving forward, while the uncertainty surrounding Savoy’s departure underscores the broader challenges within Central African football.
En poste depuis l’été 2021, Raoul Savoy a été débarqué de son poste de sélectionneur de la Centrafrique 🇨🇫
Rappelons qu’il entraînait sans être payé bien souvent…
Eloge Enza-Yamissi fera l’intérim pour les deux prochains matchs https://t.co/cQuoYBfOKF
— Romain Molina (@Romain_Molina) October 24, 2024
