He gave a press conference yesterday at the Hilton hotel in Yaounde. The fruits did not bear the promise of the flowers as after announcing his intention to resign from the national team last week and announcing a press conference to make clear his intentions; many Cameroonians expected Rigobert song to spill the beans on the travails of the Indomitable Lions in South Africa. However it was a conciliatory Rigobert song who granted a press conference yesterday at the Hilton Hotel in Yaoundé, saying he was leaving with no remorse and declaring his intention to share his experiences with the younger generation if solicited. The ace footballer was cautious not to dent the image of the Indomitable Lions which he said was sacred and therefore refused to answer questions pertaining to the dissentions in the squad or the attitude of the new captain, Eto’o Fils whom he failed to mention by name. “The Indomitable Lions is sacred and will remain so. Men go but the nation lives on”, he said.

The emblematic captain of the Indomitable Lions said his sixteen years with the national team and ten as captain leaves him with good memories though there were moments of ups and downs. He said he never knew he would get to such a level when he started playing with the national team in 1994. He thanked all those who contributed in one way or the other to his success. Song refuted claims that his was a trouble maker in the national team ever since the withdrawal of the captainship band from him saying much had been said about him during the world cup which was false but while pouring water in his own wine said, no mother will allow someone spoil what she built over the years. In response to allegations that he was forced to leave the national team, Rigobert Song said the decision was made out of his free will and that he was under no pressure to resign. I had announced my intention to leave even before the world cup in South Africa because it is good to leave things before they leave you”, he said.

Curious about the pres conference was the conspicuous absence of members of the Cameroon football federation, the ministry of sports and Physical education or any player of the national team. Song’s countenance change from time to time depending on what question he had to answer and stood up when it came to responsibilities for the failure of the Indomitable Lions in South Africa. He did not hide it that his decision not to comment on the performance of the team in South Africa was out of respect for the national team and his desire not to create any polemics around the team. “I stayed where I was asked to stay by the coach”, he said. One thing remains certain that song’s press conference left more questions unanswered and left Cameroonians still asking questions about what actually transpired in South Africa.