Cameroon are in action today, with the African powerhouse taking on Serbia in Monday's early kick-off at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. However, controversy struck before the Indomitable Lions even took to the pitch.
The five-time AFCON champions revealed their starting eleven for their clash with the European underdogs and to everyone's surprise, Andre Onana was not in goal. Not only that but the Inter Milan shot-stopper was excluded from the squad altogether and was thus not on the bench, sparking questions.
How did the ball-playing keeper go from starting the game against Switzerland, which they lost 1-0, to being dropped from the squad? COPE and the reliable Fabrizio Romano have revealed the answer to this mystery.
According to them, Onana's exclusion was due to a disciplinary issue. The former Ajax man performed admirably in their opening game but the Serie A ace got embroiled in a dispute with the national team manager Rigobert Song.
André Onana has been removed from Cameroon's squad. Been told that the reason is a discussion with head coach as he insisted for different style of goalkeeping, more 'traditional' #Qatar2022
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 28, 2022
Onana has no intention to change his style — tense situation & so he's been excluded. pic.twitter.com/UuoFp3WdLz
Informa @HelenaCondis
— El Partidazo de COPE (@partidazocope) November 28, 2022
@AndreyOnana abandona el Mundial
El portero discutió con el seleccionador camerunés por discrepancias en el modelo de juego
Eto'o intentó mediar pero Onana dice que la situación NO es reconducible y ha decidido irse
#PartidazoCOPE pic.twitter.com/8IBxoYRQkw
Song reportedly wanted Onana to function as a traditional goalkeeper but the 26-year-old, who is exceptional with the ball at his feet, refused to alter his style of play.
Dermot Corrigan of the Athletic offered further insight, tweeting that Onana was asked to go long from goal-kicks instead of playing it short and this was the root of his disagreement with Song. As a result, the goalkeeper has now been sent home and has bid farewell to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with Devis Epassy taking his spot in between the sticks.
It will be interesting to see how Cameroon fare in Onana's absence. Due to their 1-0 defeat to Switzerland, the Indomitable Lions have two games to save their campaign in Qatar. Choupo-Moting and Co. are currently in action against Serbia and are losing 2-1 despite breaking the deadlock, conceding twice in added time of the first half. Victory in this fixture will be crucial as their final group-stage game will be an extremely difficult showdown against Brazil.
