Lavagne named Cameroon coach

Frenchman Denis Lavagne has been appointed the new coach of the Cameroon national team, state radio reported on Wednesday. "The Minister of Sports has decided to appoint Frenchman Denis Lavagne as the national coach of the Cameroon team," reported Cameroon Radio-Television, CRTV, who said the appointment was officialised on Tuesday evening. CRTV reported that Lavagne would be assisted by Cameroonian coach Martin Ndtoungou Mpile, with Pierre Mbarga named goalkeeping coach. "The objective is clear: qualify the Lions for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations," Lavagne told CRTV. "My mission is also to prepare the team for the future. I'll get to work immediately." Lavagne had been the general manager of Garoua-based side Coton Sport, who have dominated the Cameroonian league championship in recent years. He replaces Spaniard Javier Clement, who was sacked on Monday after failing to lead Cameroon to the 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.