Cameroon have made the decision to ‘remove’ first-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana from their World Cup squad.
The Inter Milan shot-stopper, who excelled in Cameroon’s opening match against Switzerland last week, was a surprise absentee when the line-ups for Monday’s crunch Group E match against Serbia were announced.
But reports have now emerged claiming that Onana will take no further part in the competition following a discussion with Cameroon boss Rigobert Song. A fresh report from L’Equipe has now claimed that the 26-year-old was dropped for ‘disciplinary reasons’. It is believed that Onana and Song had a conversation about the former Ajax man’s playing style.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Song is keen for his goalkeeper to take a more traditional approach between the sticks. But Onana, who is very capable with the ball at his feet and building play from the back, is reluctant to change his style.
Devis Epassy, who has been capped just five times by his country, has been chosen to deputise for Cameroon in their seismic meeting with Serbia at Al Janoub Stadium.
Onana’s absence is the latest blow for the highly-rated shot-stopper, who was forced to serve a one-year ban as a result of a doping violation. Onana was also involved in a horrific car crash while on international duty earlier this year.
Onana has rediscovered his form after the ban and has starred for Inter Milan in Serie A since his summer move to the Italian giants were confirmed.
Losing a player of Onana’s calibre is a major blow for Cameroon, who headed into Monday’s match against Serbia pointless after their opening defeat against Switzerland.
Ahead of the match, Song insisted that he team were not under pressure after their legendary former striker Samuel Eto’o predicted an all-African World Cup final between Cameroon and Morocco before the tournament began.
“The president of the federation is passionate about football, he lives and breathes football,” Song said of Eto’o, who is now the president of the Cameroon Football Federation. (Mirror)