The Minister of Sports, Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, has officially announced a major overhaul of the national football setup following the Panthers’ failure to qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Speaking in the aftermath of this disappointing campaign, the minister made it clear that decisive action would be taken to address the shortcomings that led to the team’s elimination and to lay the foundations for a fresh start.
The first and most immediate consequence of this restructuring is the departure of head coach Daniel Cousin. The former international striker, who had been entrusted with guiding the national team, will not continue in his role. According to information provided by the Ministry, Cousin’s contract included a clause stipulating automatic non-renewal in the event of failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations. With the Panthers missing out on the continental showpiece, this clause has now been enforced, bringing his tenure to an end.
Beyond the change on the bench, the Minister of Sports outlined a broader plan aimed at rebuilding the national team on more solid and sustainable foundations. He announced that, in the coming days, a call for applications would be launched for the recruitment of a new head coach. This process will be conducted alongside the search for a National Technical Director, a position considered crucial in redefining the long-term technical vision of football in the country. According to the minister, both appointments are expected to be finalized within a maximum period of 60 days.
In a move that underscores the depth of the reform envisaged, Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze also revealed the dissolution of the current national A team. This decision reflects the authorities’ desire to turn the page on a cycle deemed unsuccessful and to start anew with a different approach. The minister has instructed the national football federation to immediately begin scouting young and promising talents, both domestically and abroad, with the aim of forming a new and more competitive selection.
This emphasis on youth development signals a strategic shift toward building a team capable not only of short-term results but also of long-term consistency. By investing in younger players and restructuring the technical framework, the Ministry hopes to create a more coherent and efficient system that can restore confidence among supporters and improve performances on the continental stage.
While these announcements mark the beginning of a challenging transition period, they also reflect a clear determination from the authorities to confront past failures head-on. The coming weeks will be decisive, as the choices made regarding the new coach, the National Technical Director, and the emerging generation of players will shape the future direction of the national team. For now, the message from the Ministry of Sports is unambiguous: change is underway, and the objective is to rebuild the Panthers into a stronger and more competitive force in African football.
