Akono to replace Lavagne as new Cameroon coach

Denis Lavagne has been fired as manager of Cameroon, three months into his contract, the west African country’s state radio announced on Thursday. His sacking, by Sports Minister Adoum Garoua, comes five days after the Indomitable Lions slumped to a humiliating 2-0 defeat by lowly Cape Verde in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. Cameroonian Jean-Paul Akono will replace him while Lavagne’s assistant, Martin Ndtoungou Mpile, remains in his post. The Frenchman only signed a permanent contract in June this year with options to make it a rolling deal, after being caretaker manager since last November. Lavagne, who previously had a spell with Cameroon champions Coton Sport, took up the post following the sacking of Javier Clemente.