Cameroon’s football ruling body, FECAFOOT, has appointed a Portuguese, Toni Conceicao (Antonio Conceicao da Silva Oliveira), as new head coach of the Indomitable Lions and ex-international Francois Omam-Biyick as his assistant, Completesports.com reports.
Conceicao and Omam-Biyik replace Dutchmen Clarence Seedorf and Patrick Kluivert who parted ways with FECAFOOT after Cameroon’s mediocre performance at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
The 57 year-old Conceicao last managed Romanian side CFR Cluj.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Sports and Physical Education Narcisse Mouelle Kombi appointed Clement Arroga as the head coach of the Intermediate Lions while Emmanuel Ndoumbe Bosso will be his assistant.
Cameroon lost 3-2 to Nigeria in the Round of 16 fixture of AFCON 2019, thus failed to defend title they won in the previous edition in Gabon.
Conceicao and Omam-Biyick’s first official assignment will be leading the Indomitable Lions out in an international friendly match against Tunisia on Saturday, October 12 at the Olympic Stadium Rhades.
By Olaleye Idowu
1 Comment
Cameroon sef.I wonder how this coach is better than the previous.
I see reports in some quarters that Cameroon flopped at the AFCON.I’m thinking,how so?
They finished second in their tough group,same points with the 1st team–Ghana,and lost no match in the group stage.Even the 3rd team in their group-Benin- qualified for next round.Then they went on to loose honourably to Nigeria 3-2. What’s the “flopping” there? That’s a Nigerian coach that has been with his team for about 3yrs. Seedorf&Kluivert about a year.So what were they expecting? Furthermore in the short while Seedorf was there,Cameroon had a clear identity,which the S.Eagles arguably didn’t have,top notch training regime that so impressed the players. I recall their keeper saying the team plays similarly to his club( Ajax). In the AFCON,even non Cameroonians CLEARLY SAW the interesting NEW Cameroon,Barca-like in their artistry. Ofcourse,that’s what Cameroon expected,by employing that team.So what’s the problem?
I really wonder why they let that team go. If it’s because,they ostracized the former captain of the team. Well,things happen- coaches with their little baggages. It’s no big deal.
Their minister of sports occasioned the sack not the FA.It’s how overzealous sports ministers in Africa keep spoiling things,meddling into football. He even eschewed courtesy by baring all on national tv. He said:
“The question of keeping Seedorf at the helm of our national team is there for all to see.
“I don’t believe, based on all circumstances that have been created, we will find an answer in terms of renewal.
“Him staying seems problematic to me. I asked the president of the FA to notify him in accordance with the provisions of his contract.
“Our national team played in an inefficient, monotonous and predictable way. There was no real leader in the squad.
“Our exit from the Africa Cup of Nations in the last 16 confirmed our coaches inability to build a winning team.
“He’s shown great difficulty in managing the squad and imposing order and discipline. He’s not fit for this job.”
Ofcourse,his decision is final.He expected to win the trophy with a staff barely a year in charge? What’s inefficient and monotonous about how the team played?No matter the record, where there not decent enough signs of massive improvement? How come the players don’t share his views and take note,most of them play in Europe(football’s Mecca).
I think the minister ought to be concerned with how Cameroon were not efficient enough to host the AFCON. They ought to be the hosts,not Egypt.They also owed there players bonuses,that was the row that made the team arrive Egypt rather late. We often leave the major issues of proper admin in Africa and we keep sacking,Ministers of Sports keep playing god in footballing matters.So sad.
Today Kluivert is the Director of youth football in Barcelona. What a massive appointment! You must know your onions if you will work in an absolute top club like Barca. That’s the coaching team the minister was tongue-lashing on national TV. I hope he learns and Africa learns too. The North Africans are generally better in proper organization, not this wishy-washy thing most other countries do.