Handball Lionesses head coach, Serge Guebogo, dies at 42.

“The Cameroon Handball Federation announces with regret the death of the national women’s Coach, Serge Christian Guebogo, who left us this morning,” a statement from the federation stated.

The demise of Serge Christian Guebogo has been described by sports analysts and particularly the handball family in the country, as a huge loss to the Cameroon Handball Federation, FECAHAND and sports community.

Under his stewardship at the helm of the country’s selection, FECAHAND recorded unprecedented success in recent years. The Handball Lionesses are also ranked amongst the best teams on the African continent.

On January 26, Serge Christian Guebogo, received a bronze medal from the president of the Cameroon National Olympic and Sport Committee, CNOSC, Colonel Hamad Kalkaba Malboum for his contribution to the development of sports.

It was a distinction which rewarded his immense work marked by key successes at the head of the handball selection.

Serge Christian Guebogo remains arguably the most successful head coach of the women’s handball team.

Rich career

Serge Christian Guebogo had a rich coaching career, before he was snatched by death at his prime.

The tactically astute coach began his coaching career with Tonnerre Kalara Club of Yaoundé where served as the assistant coach under Ayissi Noah in the junior categories from 2005-2007.

He largely contributed to the club’s success, winning several championships and Cup titles.

Despite his contributions to the team, he fell out with the club’s administrators. The rift triggered his departure after a trophy laden career.

Before leaving for TKC, Serge Christian Guebogo is quoted to have said, “TKC trusted me and gave me the opportunity to compete at the highest level nationally and continentally. I will forever remain grateful to them.”

It didn’t take long before the maestro was appointed head coach of Cameroon women’s handball national team. He has held the position since 2019 before his death.

Guebogo made his first steps with the handball Lionesses during the qualifiers for the African games in 2019 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

The trainer eventually led Cameroon to the final of the All African Games in Casablanca 2019 for the first time since 2015.

Cameroon picked up six wins to reach the final before they lost in their final hurdle claiming a silver medal.

Thanks to his wealth of experience in coaching, he led Cameroon to second place finish during the 2021 African Handball Championship, which the country hosted in Yaoundé from June 8-18.

They were also runners-up during the 2022 edition of the same tournament in Dakar, Senegal. The second position occupied by Cameroon in the continental competition, guaranteed them a spot for the 2023 Women’s World Handball Championship.

He died at a time when the team was bracing up for the tournament.

The competition is scheduled to be hosted Denmark, Norway and Sweden from November 30-December 17.