Cameroon head coach Rigobert Song has suspended their first-team goalkeeper Andre Onana from his squad after the goalkeeper asked not to play their second World Cup group match amid reports of a falling out between the pair in Qatar.
Andre Onana Suspended from Cameroon Squad
The former Ajax keeper Onana started for Cameroon in their Group G opener against Switzerland, a 1-0 defeat, but he was replaced by Devis Epassy for a 3-3 draw against Serbia on Monday. The goalkeeper was also not listed among the substitutes. In a statement, Cameroon’s football federation (Fecafoot) said that “following Song’s decision, Onana has been temporarily suspended from the group for disciplinary reasons.”
Now led by former team-mate Samuel Eto’o, said “its full support” for the 46-year-old coach, 46, as he implemented a policy “aimed at preserving discipline, solidarity, complementarity and cohesion with the national team”.
Reports of dissatisfaction with the coach’s tactical nous have emerged from the Cameroon camp, with suggestions the coach and goalkeeper have disagreed over Onana’s regular venturing out of his box. The Inter Milan star had more touches (61), some far from his penalty area, than any other goalkeeper at the World Cup against the Swiss, but his progressive approach is seemingly at odds with Song’s.
The coach said: “He is an important player, but we are in a difficult tournament,” said the coach after the thrilling draw.” “I know what I have to do, and that is to ensure that the team takes precedence over any individuals. “Andre wanted to step out and we accepted that position. In a squad, discipline is important.”
