Legendary Cameroonian defender Rigobert Song has parted ways with the Cameroon national team, just a month after suffering an early exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Ivory Coast.

The President of the Cameroonian Football Federation, Samuel Eto’o, who was Song’s teammate during their national team days, made the announcement on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, on France 24.

“I had the opportunity to discuss this with him [Rigobert Song]. I have given our positions and now we need to think about the future while wishing him every success in his future career,” Eto’o said.

In Eto’o’s words, Song’s contract at the helm of the Indomitable Lions lapsed on February 28 and will not be renewed. Eto’o paid tribute to his former teammate, known for his defensive skills.

“He has contributed a lot to this team, but the laws of football being what they are… We have not met our goals, and our executive committee and I do not see ourselves renewing the contract,” added the former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker.

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Despite boasting a rich AFCON history with the second most trophies (five), behind record champions Egypt who have won the cup seven times, Cameroon put on an awful show at the 2023 finals.

They only managed a single win, 3-2 against Gambia, in their final group match that secured them a slot in the last 16, to lose to finalists Nigeria 2-0.

The Indomitable Lions, who last won the AFCON title in 2017, drew their opening match 1-1 with 10-man Guinea before suffering a 3-1 defeat to the then-defending champions Senegal in the second group match.

Song’s two-year tenure as the Indomitable Lions’ coach has officially ended. Despite his best efforts, the statistics speak for themselves: 23 matches, with 6 wins, 8 draws, and 9 defeats.