Rigobert Song, head coach of the Cameroon National Football Team, has expressed the hope that Cameroonians will be filled with joy when his team takes on Gambia in their last group match in the ongoing TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.
Song shared his sentiments during a pre-match press conference, highlighting the expectation of the upcoming clash between Cameroon and Gambia on January 23 in AFCON 2023.
“Tomorrow we’ll win, and the Cameroonians will be proud. What people refuse to recognize is that I’m rebuilding. I trust my players. Maybe we also like to be in difficulty to play well. Tomorrow’s game is crucial; we’ll have our three points, but I don’t think Abubakar will be ready to play tomorrow. He’ll be ready after our three games,” stated Rigobert Song confidently.
Addressing the pressure from Cameroonians, Song remained composed and unaffected, drawing upon his experience with pressure from a young age.
He stated, “I’m a special person. I don’t panic, I don’t stress, I listen to critics, I understand them, and I keep my wits about me. I’ve been told I’m dead, but I’m alive. After that, nature has its reasons, and it’s God who decides. Tomorrow will be good, and we’ll get through. It’s not a tactical or technical problem; it’s a mental one, and my players know it. In the last game, we lost because we lacked experience and maturity. There won’t be any major changes to the team tomorrow.”.
Talking about resigning from the team, Song said, “Regarding my resignation, I won’t answer your question. I’m staying focused on tomorrow’s game, and we’ll see. We’re learning every day, and we have to be aware that there are things we’ve missed. My players and colleagues have understood what was missing.”
It is going to be the second meeting between Cameroon and Gambia in the Africa Cup of Nations, following their clash in the quarterfinals of the 2022 edition held in Cameroon.
Cameroon emerged triumphant with a 2-0 victory, courtesy of two goals from the talented Karl Toko-Ekambi. A win for Cameroon in this crucial match will place them in a favorable position as they strive to qualify for the next phase of the competition.