Cameroon replace head coach

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Cameroon has appointed Jean-Paul Akono as coach to replace Denis Lavagne, returning to the man who led the team a decade ago and was part of the 2000 Olympic gold medal-winning team.

Cameroon suspended French coach Denis Lavagne, less than a year after he took the helm of the national team, following an embarrassing defeat to lowly-ranked Cape Verde, Cameroon's state television said on Thursday.

Minister of Physical Education Garoua Adoum made the announcement on Thursday through state radio.

The decision

The decision came as Cameroon faced imminent elimination from qualifying for next year's African Nations Cup. The four-time African Champions were surprisingly beaten last Saturday at Cape Verde.

Cameroon, four-times winners of the Africa Cup of Nations, are in danger of missing out on a place at the next finals in South Africa after losing 2-0 to the tiny Atlantic archipelago nation in Praia on Saturday, in the first leg of the final round of qualifiers.

Lavagne had been suspended with full pay until the end of his contract in October, the television said.

Friction

The change of coach comes amid friction within the squad. Former captain Samuel Eto'o has declined to join the team after he was suspended late last year for leading a revolt that resulted to Cameroon not playing a friendly with Algeria.

Akono, who coached the team in 2000-01, will be assisted by Martin Ntoungou Mpile.