Cameroon goalkeeper André Onana, who left his nation’s World Cup training camp before the 3-3 draw with Serbia yesterday after falling out with coach Rigobert Song, has released a statement detailing his version of events surrounding the incident. The Inter Milan player explained:
“I want to express my affection for my country and the national team. Yesterday, I was not allowed to be on the pitch to help Cameroon, as I always am, 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 footballers often experience, but there has been no will from the other side. Some moments are difficult to understand. 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 I have identified with, and that my family has given me, since my childhood. Representing Cameroon has always been a privilege. The nation first and forever.”
Onana reportedly left the Cameroon squad after Song demanded he play in a more traditional style, which Onana supposedly refused to do. Cameroon face Brazil in their final group game on Friday and need to win to have any chance of making the last 16.
GWFN
