Rigobert Song’s appointment as head coach of the Central African Republic’s national team has become a subject of heated debate, with the Central African Football Federation (FCF) strongly refuting claims that it has endorsed his selection.
Disputed appointment and FIFA’s warning
The decision to appoint Song was made unilaterally by the country’s Ministry of Sports, bypassing the FCF, which had preferred local coach Eloge Enza-Yamissi.
This power struggle led to FIFA intervening, warning of potential sanctions against the Central African Republic for government interference in football affairs.
Despite the ongoing dispute, Song recently suggested that he had reconciled with the FCF leadership.
In a social media post, he claimed to have met with FCF President Célestin Yanindji and reached an agreement to officially take charge after the upcoming international break.
However, this announcement was met with immediate skepticism.
FCF denies any agreement with song
Shortly after Song’s statement, sources within the FCF, quoted by 237online.com, denied any agreement with the former Cameroon coach.
Officials insisted that the federation had not formally accepted his appointment and dismissed his announcement as misleading.
As you can see, there are no members of the federation in this image.
This is an attempt at manipulation. The federation does not acknowledge having reached an agreement with Rigobert Song,” an anonymous FCF official stated.
The controversy deepened when the FCF highlighted that Song’s widely circulated photo—where he was seen toasting with officials—was not taken at the federation but rather during his meeting with the Sports Ministry.
The absence of FCF representatives in the image further fueled doubts over his claims.
Uncertainty over the coaching role
With the national team preparing for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers, uncertainty lingers over who will be in charge.
While Song insists he will assume the role after March, the FCF has countered by announcing plans to conduct a formal recruitment process, allowing multiple candidates to apply—including Song, should he wish to do so.
This latest twist adds further uncertainty to an already chaotic situation, raising serious questions about Song’s credibility and the leadership crisis within Central African football.
As FIFA continues to monitor developments, the nation risks severe consequences if the federation and the government fail to resolve their differences in line with international football regulations.
