How Rigobert Song negotiated his position as coach of the Indomitable Lions

On December 2, 2021, Rigobert Song arrived in Garoua alongside Samuel Eto’o.

During this trip, Samuel Eto’o Fils’ campaign team produced a video in which “Rigo” gave his support to his “younger brother”.

Rigobert Song was appointed coach of the Cameroon national team on February 28, 2022, on the instructions of President Samuel Eto’o. In his book “L’Arnaque”, Jean Bruno Tagne reveals how the former Lens player got his job at the head of the Indomitable Lions.

Below is an extract from the book “L’Arnaque”:

“The fact remains that the former captain of the Indomitable Lions has not always enjoyed cordial relations with his comrades. He has been seriously at odds with Rigobert Song since 2009, when the latter was brutally stripped of his captaincy of the Indomitable Lions.

His once cordial relations with Geremi Njitap have deteriorated. With the old Lion Roger Milla, it’s always “je t’aime moi non plus”. As for Bell, he doesn’t want to smell Eto’o.[…].

One man who dragged his feet before joining Samuel Eto’o was Rigobert Song. He negotiated his support at a high price, in particular his position as coach of the Indomitable Lions.

On December 2, 2021, Rigobert Song arrived in Garoua alongside Samuel Eto’o and his wife. They had come to meet the lamido of Garoua to ask for his support and hope that he would put pressure on his subjects delegated to the elective General Assembly.

During the trip, Samuel Eto’o Fils’ campaign team produced a video in which “Rigo” offered his support to his “younger brother”. The words are well chosen. It’s a clear and unreserved endorsement: “It’s more than an endorsement.

My younger brother Samuel’s candidacy for the presidency of the Federation deserves to be given a chance, an opportunity. I think Samuel Eto’o is the ideal person today.

We have a duty to pass on to our younger brothers what our elders have given us. Who better to do this than Samuel Eto’o? He has that ability.

He’s been around soccer for a long time. He’s learned everything. Eto’o’s team exult. It wasn’t a foregone conclusion. He’s a great support […] “