Anxiety over ex-Cameroon International Rigobert Song’s condition

FORMER Cameroon international, Rigobert Song was reported dead on Friday with online news platforms awash with the news on Saturday morning.

The story became conflicting hours later when another story emerged that the 40-year-old former defender was alive.

Song, a former captain of the Indomitable Lions of Camerron, had been admitted to hospital after falling unconscious. He was later taken to France for further treatment of his stroke.

Confirming the news, his brother Alex Song said “Our beloved passed on this morning. At this moment the family is bereaved.”

But while debunking the story, Gary Al-Smith, wrote through his Twitter handle, @garyalsmith: “CONFIRMED from multiple sources. Rigobert Song NOT dead. He actually waved his hands this morning [Saturday] and was able to speak.”

Al-Smith reports Africa for BBC, CNN, New York Times Aljazeera (English) and Joy99.7FM, Ghana.

Buttressing this, Media Director at the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Junior Binyam, was quoted to have posted through his Twitter handle, @Juniorbinyam: “Song is getting better. The CAF president is visiting him in hospital today [Saturday].”

This message was retweeted by former BBC Sport correspondent, Osasu Obayiuwana (@osasuo).

Isa Hayatou, apart from his status as the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), is also from Cameroon – Song’s home country.

He was capped about 137 times for his country and also played professionally with Liverpool, Galatasaray, West Ham and others.