At a time when three time African football champions Cameroon are dealing with events like players not wanting to be part of the Indomitable Lions’ preparations going into the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, there is some good news after all.
On 3 October 2016, Rigobert Song suffered a cerebral attack at his home in Yaoundé and was hospitalized in Cameroon.
He was in a coma for two days after a stroke with doctors planning to transfer him to a French hospital for further treatment, but he is now out of danger.
“I’m back from the brink. My blood pressure was up at like 25 and it felt like my head was exploding.” Said the two-time African champions, who also played a vital role as Cameroon won gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics Games in 2000, Song also added.
I was lucky to fall on my side and that way when I went down my tongue came out. My dog started barking and the concierge came up but didn’t dare come in. But then a friend showed up and got me help.
At the time of the attack, Song was the manager of the Cameroon “A” national team since February 2016, the ‘A’ team is composed of Cameroon-based players that competes in regional tournaments.
Song played a record eight Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and served as captain in five (the ones he was not captain for were South Africa 1996, Burkina Faso 1998 and Angola 2010).
He also holds the record for most consecutive games played in the tournament with 35 first team games.
With 137 appearances, Song also holds the record of the most capped player in the history of the Cameroon national team and has played in four World Cups, in 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010.