Cameroon’s Onana Leaves W’Cup After Fallout With Coach

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, Sports News Tuesday, November 29th, 2022

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Cameroon’s first choice goalkeeper in the ongoing 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Andre Onana, is set to leave Qatar after a fallout with the country’s coach, Rigobert Song.

Onana was removed from the country’s squad in their dramatic 3-3 match with Serbia on Monday afternoon, having been reportedly involved in a face-off with the manager over the squad’s style of play.

According to Daily Mail UK, the emotional dispute came after Song lambasted the stopper during training for taking too many risks playing with his feet. The coach had wanted Onana to play in a more conventional, risk-free fashion and was unhappy with the way the keeper advanced off his line to start attacks from the back.

After an adamant Onana refused to change his style of play he was eventually cut off from the match and replaced with Devis Epassy, who conceded three goals in Serbia’s draw.

It was gathered that peace talks failed after Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o and the Cameroon Football Federation could not settle the dispute between Song and Onana.

Cameroon’s first choice goalkeeper Andre Onana is flying home after being axed from the country’s World Cup squad.

The 26-year-old Inter Milan star is now officially leaving the Qatar tournament.

Reacting to the saga, Song said, “In a squad you need to see discipline and if you can’t fit in with that discipline, with what’s required to be part of a squad, then you need to accept responsibility for that.

“We don’t question his ability – he plays for one of the top teams in Europe – but you need to ensure the team takes precedence over the individual.”