A scheduled international friendly between the Central African Republic and Tunisia has been called off following a players’ strike over unpaid bonuses, marking a major setback just days after the team’s morale-boosting victory over Mauritania.
The Central African Republic national team appeared to be riding a wave of momentum after a hard-fought 2-1 win against Mauritania in early June.
However, the optimism was short-lived. Within 48 hours, tensions erupted in the squad, culminating in a full-blown standoff that led to the cancellation of their next fixture against Tunisia.
Confirmation of the cancellation came through an official statement posted on social media by the Central African Football Federation (FCF).
In the announcement, the federation’s secretary general, Octave Mahamat Adialo, acknowledged that several players had launched a strike, citing unpaid financial entitlements as the cause.
According to the striking players, the bonuses they received fell short of what had been promised or expected. The players reportedly refused to participate in further team activities, effectively rendering the continuation of the international break impossible.
The FCF, however, has refuted claims of any breach of contract. In its statement, the federation maintained that all agreed-upon payments had been made in accordance with prior arrangements.
“The regrouping bonuses were disbursed upon the players’ arrival in Casablanca,” the federation explained, referring to the Moroccan city where the squad had gathered.
The core of the dispute appears to revolve around additional financial rewards following the win against Mauritania. Several players demanded victory bonuses not included in the original agreement.
The federation described these demands as both unexpected and unfeasible within the current budget, calling the players’ reaction an “act of mutiny.”
The FCF further condemned the protest, stating that it constituted a breach of discipline and would not be tolerated. Federation officials have pledged to identify and penalize those responsible for leading the movement, although no specific names were disclosed.
Adding to the team’s woes, star midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia was notably absent from the training camp. Kondogbia, a pivotal figure in the squad and widely regarded as a leader on and off the pitch, did not travel to join the national side for this set of friendlies.
While no official reason has been provided for his absence, it has inevitably added to the atmosphere of uncertainty and discord within the camp.
The situation casts a shadow over what had initially looked like a promising period for Central African football. The national side, long plagued by instability both on and off the field, had shown signs of renewal with recent performances.
The victory over Mauritania had sparked hope among supporters and analysts alike that the team was beginning to turn a corner.
Instead, this latest controversy has reopened old wounds and raised questions about the management of the national team. The abrupt cancellation of a high-profile friendly against Tunisia—one of Africa’s more established footballing nations—represents more than just a scheduling issue.
It reflects deeper structural problems that continue to hinder the progress of football in the Central African Republic.
As the FCF prepares to investigate the matter and determine disciplinary measures, attention now shifts to how the federation and the players will resolve their standoff.
Whether the incident will lead to lasting reforms or further alienation remains to be seen. For now, what should have been an opportunity to build on recent success has instead exposed lingering fractures within the national team setup.
