/ 23 July 2007

Cameroon seek new coach despite winning run

Cameroon have advertised for a new national team coach despite sealing a berth at next year’s African Nations Cup with a 100% record in qualifying under caretaker Jules Nyongha.

The Cameroon Football Federation have placed the job offer on their website , effectively signalling the end of veteran coach Nyongha’s fourth spell in charge.

Nyongha has received public backing for a permanent appointment from leading striker Samuel Eto’o but he still appears set to lose the job just a month after guiding Cameroon to next year’s finals in Ghana.

Cameron have won all three matches under Nyongha during his latest spell in charge after he stepped in to replace Dutch coach Arie Haan in March.

Nyongha has had three previous spells at the helm of the Indomitable Lions, dating as far back as mid-1992.

His overall record reads 13 wins in 34 internationals, with 11 draws and 10 losses. Nyongha was the coach of Cameroon at the 1996 African Nations Cup finals in South Africa.

Cameroon’s football federation says it is looking for a coach with a trainer’s diploma, ”good international experience” and who would be prepared to take up residence in the country.

Haan and his predecessor, German Winfried Schafer, argued against living permanently in the Central African country because virtually all of the candidates for the Cameroon squad played at European clubs.

The Cameroon federation is accepting applications until August 6, the advertisement said, but weekend news reports put Belgian coach George Heylens in pole position after he met with sports ministry officials in Yaounde. – Reuters