Onana releases statement after being suspended from Cameroon’s World Cup team following dispute with coach

Andre Onana, Cameroon’s goalkeeper who was sent home from the World Cup on Tuesday, November 29, for disciplinary reasons after a dispute with coach Rigobert Song, has released a statement that partly explained the situation from his perspective.

The Inter Milan goalkeeper flew back home after being left out of the squad in the match against Serbia on Monday, November 28, which ended in a 3-3 draw.

This occurred after a dispute with Song over his playing style which resulted in a shouting match. Some news platforms reported that the Cameroon coach wanted a more traditional goalie between the sticks but Onana, 26, insisted on playing out from the back and refused to change his style.

Following his removal from the squad, the goalkeeper released a statement where he stated that he has always been loyal and also behaved in a way that would ensure his team’s success.

It read;

“I want to express my affection for my country and the national team.

“Yesterday I was not allowed to be on the ground to help Cameroon, as I always do, to achieve the team’s goals.

“I always behaved in a way to lead the team to success in a good manner.

“I have put all my efforts and energy into finding solutions to a situation that a footballer often experiences, but there has been no will on the other side. Some moments are difficult to assimilate.

“However, I always respect and support the decisions of the people in charge of pursuing the success of our team and country.

“I extend all my strength to my teammates because we demonstrated that we are capable of going very far in this competition.

“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. Thank you!”

Cameroon has only one point after two games in Group G and needs to defeat Brazil in their final group match to advance to the round of 16.