Shortly before the match between Cameroon and Serbia, decisive for the aspirations of the Africans in the World Cup in Qatar, the unexpected departure of the Cameroonian team of its starting goalkeeper, André Onana, due to discrepancies with the coach, Rigobert Song, was announced, which he confirmed after the game, played on Monday, the differences with his pupil.
“Onana wanted to leave and we accepted it. There are 26 players in this team working for this competition together and we want to show that spirit of discipline and respect (…) You have to adapt to the discipline of the team. If you can’t do it, if you don’t you can adapt to what we ask of this team, I think it is necessary to step aside and take responsibility. The team is more important than individualities”, said the former player and now coach of the ‘indomitable lions’.
This Tuesday, the African goalkeeper gave his version of the events in a statement on his Instagram account. “I want to express my love for my country and the national team. Yesterday I was not allowed to be on the field to help Cameroon, as I always do, to achieve the objectives of the national team. I always behaved in the best way to lead the team to success “, the letter begins.
Some information suggests that the coach was not satisfied with the goalkeeper’s ball output, who was replaced by Epassy in the match that the Africans drew against Serbia (3-3) and that kept them alive in the last day. Onana played all 90 minutes of Cameroon’s defeat against Switzerland in the first match (1-0).
“I have put all my effort and energy into finding solutions to a situation that a footballer often experiences, but there has been no will on the other side. There are moments that are difficult to assimilate. However, I always respect and support the decisions of the people in charge of pursue the success of our team and country”, continues the goal of Inter Milan.
“The values ??that I promote as a person and as a player are the ones that identify me and that my family has given me since my childhood. Representing Cameroon has always been a privilege. The nation first and forever”, concludes an Onana who extends his ” strength” to his teammates, whom he sees as “capable of going very far in this competition”.
Cameroon, third in group G with one point, reaches the last day of the group stage with the need to beat the fearsome Brazil, already classified, and wait for Switzerland to stumble against Serbia to be in the round of 16.
