Central African Republic: Rigobert Song addresses the controversy over his appointment

Rigobert Song has decided to clear up a few points. The former Indomitable Lions defender, asked about a position that could be likened to that of Cameroon head coach Marc Brys, waved away the comparison before offering some clarification. "I can't be in the same situation as Marc Brys. I was first invited by the President of the Republic, who asked me whether I could help guide the country's youth. I accepted and he immediately referred it to his close collaborator, the Ministry of Sports, and things moved very quickly. I think they moved so quickly that the ministry should really have approached the federation first, as it is the technical body. That is also why I didn't sign straight away. I asked for an agreement to be in place before signing, so we could work in the best possible conditions", the coach said initially on the programme Talents d'Afrique.

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A supervisory role?

Rigobert Song continues: "The President spoke with the minister, and afterwards he received me and we had a conversation. I understand his bitterness, because the problem we have in Africa is that governments take precedence over all the federations. He explained to me that it was the way it was done that bothered him, as he had no problem with me. He told me the matches against Malawi and Mali were coming up fast and I won't be able to be on the touchline. So I will be there a bit as a supervisor, to see how things work".