Real reason Onana was kicked out of Cameroon’s squad

 

Cameroon goalkeeper, Andre Onana, will play no further role at the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar after being kicked out of the squad hours before facing Serbia on Monday.

Onana started Cameroon’s first group match against Switzerland last week, where Breel Embolo’s goal decided the contest.

The 26-year-old had been expected to maintain his place in the side for the clash against Serbia but was a surprising omission not just from the starting XI but from the match-day squad.

However, according to The Athletic, Onana had a falling out with Cameroon head coach Rigobert Song over the weekend and it was ultimately decided that the Inter Milan shot-stopper should leave the World Cup campaign in Qatar.

The report added that things are believed to have gotten heated between Song and Onana during a training session over the weekend when the Cameroon coach asked his goalkeeper to change his style of play.

Onana came through Barcelona’s academy and spent years playing in Ajax’s possession-focused team, with a play style of building up from the back via the keeper.

But Song felt that style didn’t suit his Cameroon team and told Onana to go more direct and not take any risks near his own goalpost, instead wanting to see more ‘traditional’ goalkeeping.

It appeared that Onana did not take too kindly to Song’s suggestion, with the report claiming the pair had a rather significant bust-up.

Onana was eventually replaced in the starting XI with keeper Devis Epassy.