Former Cameroon captain and coach Rigobert Song has been appointed to take over the Central African Republic’s national team, the country’s sports ministry said on Tuesday without disclosing any terms.

The 48-year-old Song, who played as a central defender for his country at four World Cups and then coached the Indomitable Lions at the finals in Qatar in 2022, takes over from the Swiss coach Raoul Savoy, who was fired in October during their unsuccessful Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

They are, however, still involved in World Cup qualification and resume their campaign in March with home matches against Madagascar and Mali.

The Central African Republic sit in fifth place in Group I with four points from four matches, five behind co-leaders Comoros and Ghana.

Song, whose club career took in spells at Liverpool, West Ham United, Racing Lens and Galatasaray, had a confrontation with Andre Onana during the last World Cup that led to the goalkeeper leaving the tournament in Qatar.

-Reuters

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U.S. Soccer said on Friday that the U.S. women’s national team’s training camp has been moved from Los Angeles to Miami due to the wildfires that have devastated Southern California.

The camp for the Paris Olympic champions will start three days later than planned and run from Jan. 17-23 at Inter Miami’s Florida Blue Training Center in Ft. Lauderdale instead of Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson.

 U.S. Women’s National Team starting XI before the match against Ireland at Q2 Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images/File Photo

“The safety of our players and staff is always our top priority, and with the fires still burning, many areas in a state of emergency, and the air quality next week an unknown, we made the decision to move the camps,” said Matt Crocker, U.S. Soccer’s sporting director.

Firefighters finally started gaining control over two major wildfires on the eastern and western flanks of Los Angeles on Friday as fierce winds that supercharged the fires for days finally eased.

Six simultaneous wildfires have devastated Los Angeles County neighborhoods since Tuesday, killed at least 11 people and damaging or destroyed 10,000 structures.

The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Team offered words of encouragement to Los Angeles on Friday.

“Team USA holds the city of Los Angeles, our future summer Games host, in our hearts and thanks all those who are lending their support to those affected.”

Olympic organizers LA28 said they had gathered resources, opens new tab for those in need of support amid what is among the worst natural disasters in California history.

“We are eternally grateful to the firefighters, first responders, and everyday Angelenos working around the clock to keep us safe from the devastating wildfires,” LA28 said in a statement.

-Reuters

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France coach Didier Deschamps confirmed on Wednesday he will leave the national team after the 2026 World Cup, saying it was time to stop as Zinedine Zidane appears as the heavy favourite to take over.

The French soccer federation (FFF) told Reuters on Tuesday that Deschamps, who is France’s longest serving national team coach, will not seek to renew his contract which expires in 2026 but FFF president Philippe Diallo said it was too soon to name a replacement.

Les Bleus have yet to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

“In 2026 it will be over. In my head it’s very clear. I’ve done my time, with the same desire and passion to maintain France at the highest level but 2026 is (a) very good (time to stop),” Deschamps told TF1.

“One has to be able to say stop, there’s a life after this. The most important (thing) is for France to stay at the top as they have been for many years.”

Deschamps took over from fellow 1998 World Cup winner Laurent Blanc in 2012 and led France to the World Cup title in 2018, two years after reaching the European Championship final on home soil.

Having had won trophies with every club he managed before becoming France coach, Deschamps also claimed the 2021 Nations League title with Les Bleus.

The former France captain, one of only three people to win football’s most prestigious prize as a player and a coach, guided the national team to the World Cup final again in 2022, losing to Argentina on penalties after one of the best matches in the tournament’s history.

His former France teammate Zidane, who headed a double in the team’s 3-0 victory against Brazil in the 1998 World Cup final, has repeatedly said he would like to manage Les Bleus after a sterling coaching career at Real Madrid, whom he guided to three consecutive Champions League titles from 2016-18.

“I won’t get into that debate (on Zidane). Didier has a two-year contract and, out of respect for him, his staff and the players, the question of his succession does not arise today,” Diallo told French sports daily L’Equipe on Wednesday.

-Reuters

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