Former Black Stars striker Ibrahim Tanko has been relieved of his post as Cameroon assistant coach two weeks to the commencement of the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.

The ex-Freiburg frontman was given the boot alongside head coach Volker Finke on Friday after a series of poor results including a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Nigeria on October 11 in an exhibition.

Tanko was named Cameroon assistant trainer in June 2013 following the appointment of Finke, but has seen his tenure brought to an end after a managerial reshuffle at the Indomitable Lions.

While Bonaventure Djonkep has been named to take over Tanko’s role, Alexandre Belinga has been appointed as coach on an interim basis, and the duo, both locals, would lead the Lions into November’s double-header qualifier against Niger.

Under Finke and Tanko, Cameroon lost all three games at the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil, conceding nine goals and scoring just once, consequently exiting the tournament at the group stage.

The Lions were similarly knocked out of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea after the first round, placing fourth in Group D behind Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea and Mali.

Tanko and Finke have had a longstanding working relationship, having worked together at German sides Freiburg and Koln, as well as Japanese outfit Urawa Reds before their reunion in Cameroon.

The striker has 10 caps for Ghana, playing for the Black Stars between 1996 and 2004.