Andre Onana: Inter Milan goalkeeper dropped by Cameroon for ‘refusing to change style’ - reports
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ByEurosport
Updated 28/11/2022 at 13:46 GMT
There was drama ahead of the early game on Monday, November 28 at the 2022 World Cup as Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana was left out of the matchday squad entirely. Reports came in that the reason was because of a disagreement with manager Rigobert Song, who had asked him to play in a more traditional style and Onana refused to do so, hence his exclusion.
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Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana was reportedly dropped by Cameroon for their crucial World Cup clash against Serbia for refusing to change his style.
The news came as the team-sheets were released and Onana, one of the stars of the squad, was not only left out of the starting 11, but the entire matchday squad.
Reports quickly emerged of a falling out with manager Rigobert Song.
Then Fabrizio Romano reported that Song wanted Onana to revert to a more traditional style of goalkeeping, and Onana said that he couldn’t do that.
Onana is an extremely modern goalkeeper, having played at Barcelona and Ajax before joining Inter on a free transfer over the summer.
During the opening defeat to Switzerland, Onana had 61 touches, more than any other goalkeeper at this World Cup. His heatmap showed some touches practically at the half-way line.
Following the thrilling 3-3 draw, manager Rigobert Song spoke about Onana, saying, "he is set aside for indiscipline. I prefer to preserve the interest of the group than that of an individual. I took my responsibilities and I assume."
His replacement was Devis Epassy, who plays his domestic football in Saudi Arabia.
Other reports when he was first left out did suggest that the reason for his exclusion was that he had questioned the involvement of Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o within the squad.
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