Cameroon’s coach Rigobert Song addressed questions regarding the influence and involvement of Samuel Eto’o, the President of the Cameroon Football Federation. Following a 3-1 defeat to Senegal during the AFCON 2023 group stage, speculations arose about Eto’o’s interactions with the team.
During the pre-match press conference ahead of the impending clash against Nigeria, a journalist queried Coach Song about Eto’o’s presence in the locker room post the Senegal match, suggesting a lack of control over the players. In response, Coach Song provided a comprehensive and measured explanation.
“I am and I remain the manager-selector, and I take all the responsibilities and I assume them,” asserted Song.
He emphasized the distinction between Eto’o’s role as president and his passion for the sport. “He is passionate, he loves his work.
If he goes down to the locker room, it’s not to impose anything. It’s the character. He transmits something.
He’s the president, but he’s also passionate,” clarified Song, dispelling notions of undue interference.
Coach Song emphasized the nuanced relationship, stating, “It is this nuance that you should try to understand because everything is in confusion.
I have all the responsibility to report to him because he is president, which does not mean that he imposes anything on me.”
As Cameroon gears up to face Nigeria on Saturday, January 27, at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan, the team looks forward to the return of Vincent Aboubakar to the group, providing a potential boost to their campaign.
Coach Song’s clear stance seeks to underscore the team’s unity and focus as they navigate through the challenging terrain of the AFCON 2023.
