Rigobert Song

Who is Rigobert Song?

Rigobert Song Bahanag is a former Cameroonian footballer, who is currently a pundit for TV channel Orange Sports. He was a member of the Cameroon national team between 1993 and 2010.

He was born in Nkenglicock, Cameroon.

Known for his defensive skills, Song usually plays as a centre back but can also operate at right back. Internationally, he has played at a record eight Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and served as captain in five, a record, and holds the record of most consecutive games played in the tournament with 35 first team games. He has won two CAF Africa Cup of Nations titles in 2000 and 2002. In 2009, Song was dropped as Cameroon skipper by new coach Paul Le Guen, who eventually appointed Samuel Eto'o as the new captain but later caused concerns as Rigobert song had never been on the bench in more than 11 years for Cameroon. 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.

Song started his professional career with Metz and helped the club to win the French League Cup back in 1996. After appearing at the 1998 World Cup he joined Salernitana which newly promoted to Serie A. In January 1999 he left Italy to start successive stints with Liverpool, West Ham United and Cologne but after failing to hold down a first-team place he returned to France to play for RC Lens. He stayed there until 2004 and moved on to Turkey, where he spent four years with Galatasaray, winning two Turkish League titles and the Turkish Cup. Song then signed a contract with Trabzonspor in 2008, where he won another Turkish Cup and stayed until 2010.