ANDRE ONANA LEAVES WORLD CUP AFTER SUSPENSION FROM THE CAMEROON SQUAD
Cameroon’s starting goalkeeper Andre Onana has been temporarily suspended from the Cameroon squad due to disciplinary reasons, the Cameroon Football Federation confirmed on Monday.
A statement from the federation read: “The Cameroon Football Federation hereby informs the public that following Mr. Rigobert Song Bahanag’s decision, Head Coach of the Indomitable Lions, the player Andre Onana has been temporarily suspended from the group for disciplinary reasons.”
“The Cameroon Football Federation reiterates its full support to the Head Coach and his entire staff as they implement the Federation’s policy aimed at preserving discipline, solidarity, complementarity, and cohesion within the national team. FECAFOOT further reaffirms its commitment to create a peaceful atmosphere for the team and to provide them with adequate facilities for an outstanding performance.”
26-year-old Andre Onana was suspended before Cameroon played Serbia at 5 am ET on Monday. It’s being reported that the former Ajax man questioned the Federation president Samuel Eto’o’s involvement with the team with multiple reports saying he got suspended because he refused to play Rigobert Song’s system of long balls. As per CBS Sports, Ben Jacobs, Song wanted the Nkol Ngok-born goalkeeper to take fewer risks in his own box after which a heated discussion ensued that led to Onana’s dismissal.
Onana has made 34 caps for the Indomitable Lions and is famously known for his ball-playing, sweeper-keeper style of goalkeeping. As per Opta Analyst, the Inter Milan goalkeeper had 61 touches in Cameroon’s first game against Switzerland, with 26 of those touches coming outside his own box. Onana’s 61 touches were the most touches for a goalkeeper in a World Cup match so far this year. The 2018 Indomitable Lion of the Year attempted 53 passes, completing an impressive 39 and made two saves against the Swiss.
After his suspension went public, a video of Onana surfaced on social media where his removal from the team was asked by a journalist. “The most important thing is that the team wins,” the 6-foot-3 goalkeeper said.
With reports suggesting Song wanted Onana to play “more like a traditional goalkeeper”, the Cameroon head coach took questions from the media after the team’s 3-3 draw against Serbia.
“He is an important player, but we are in a difficult tournament,” said Song. “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.”
The 46-year-old manager had previously denied claims that Onana will leave Qatar and suggested the Inter Milan man could return to the squad. “He was sidelined for indiscipline,” Song said on Monday. “I take full responsibility for that decision. You have to be disciplined. For the time being, I have asked him to wait – to see if he is going to stay with us. I have asked him to respect the rules and maybe come back into the squad.”
However, reports on Tuesday confirmed that Onana has indeed left the tournament. As per European transfer guru, Fabrizio Romano, Onana is scheduled for a flight to Paris before he takes a connecting flight back to Cameroon’s capital, Yaoundé. With both Song and Onana appearing to have reached an impasse, the tournament is over for the Serie A player and parties surrounding the team have already begun speculating about Onana’s retirement from the national team altogether.
Cameroon’s second goalkeeper Devis Epassy, who started in Onana’s stead against Serbia told reporters after the game: “I knew I will be starting. [I knew] last night. You can ask the coach [why he dropped Onana]. Andre [Onana] encouraged me and gave me the courage. I feel confident to continue in the next game.” Epassy plays in Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Professional League with Abha Football Club.
The five-time African champions are looking for a much-needed performance in their last group game against already-qualified Brazil. Having won only one point from their first two games, Cameroon will need nothing short of a miracle to advance. Brazil are favorites to win the tournament and have yet to concede a goal in the World Cup. The South American team has an abundance of experience and talent and will prove a tough test for the Indomitable Lions.
As for Cameroon, if they advance into the knockout stages and their goalkeeping situation remains unchanged, the team will have to call up a replacement goalkeeper. Rigobert Song can call up one of Simon Omossola of DR Congo’s Vita Club, Jean Efala of Nigeria’s Akwa United, or Maritzburg United’s Anye Derick Fru, a 27-year-old left-footed goalkeeper who plays in the DSTV Premiership in South Africa.
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero
Photo: Happiraphael. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.