Cameroon’s inspirational leader Rigobert Song
The defender has passed on the captaincy to striker Samuel Eto’o but he still holds sway in the backline – and it could cost the Indomitable Lions a place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Song’s remarkable longevity (he made his national team debut way back in 1993) is now perhaps the biggest threat to his reputation as one of Africa’s best ever defenders. With well over 120 caps and the record for the most appearances in the Africa Cup of Nations finals to his name it is inevitable that people will feel the 33-year-old should be passing on the torch to younger protagonists.
And ever since his high-profile mistake in the final of the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations allowed Mohamed Zidan to set up Mohamed Aboutrika for the winning goal, there has been a feeling that Song is living on borrowed time.
Time is not kind to footballers and even the very best reach a tipping point where they can become a liability to their team. For central defenders, who, apart from goalkeepers, are most prone to receive harsh criticism for any errors, it is particularly important that they don’t play on past their sell-by date.
Cameroon sit bottom of Group A in the final round of African Zone qualifiers for the World Cup, with only one point to their name from two games. Admittedly, defence has not been their Achilles Heel: in eight second and third round matches they have conceded just three goals.
But with two games to come against confident group leaders Gabon, their defence will be severely tested. Surely it’s time for coach Paul Le Guen to pair Andre Bikey and Sebastien Bassong in central defence and keep Song as an experienced player who can be brought off the bench if there is an injury or to provide a calming influence late in a game in which the Indomitable Lions are looking to defend a slender lead.
Chasing mobile strikers and battling away in a crowded penalty area when defending set pieces is a young man’s endeavour, more suited to the likes of Bikey (24) and Bassong (23) who have shown that they have what it takes to cut it at the highest level.
Song, for all his grit, determination and the glory he has brought to Cameroonian football, will have to retire some day. Let’s just hope, for the sake of his legacy and the Indomitable Lions’ World Cup hopes, that he doesn’t leave it too late.
MTNfootball.com
