Andre Onana has been removed from Cameroon’s squad ahead of the game vs Serbia, this due to disciplinary reasons
Cameroon’s goalkeeper, André Onana, was “dismissed” from the group before the match against Serbia at the 2022 World Cup on Monday, AFP learned from a source at the Cameroon Football Federation (Fécafoot).
As Cameroon prepares to play a crucial match from 11 a.m. against Serbia, in order to preserve its chances of qualifying for the round of 16 of the World Cup, it will have to do without its titular goalkeeper.
Disciplinary reasons mentioned
Indeed, André Onana, the keeper of Inter Milan, has, according to AFP and a source close to the Cameroonian Federation, been excluded from the group. He will be replaced by Devis Epassy, who plays in Abha, Saudi Arabia. The former Ajax goalkeeper was dismissed for disciplinary reasons, it was added, without specifying the reason or the duration of this dismissal.
Holder at the African Cup of Nations in January-February, where Cameroon finished third, Onana (26 years old, 34 selections) kept the goals of the Indomitable Lions during the first match against Switzerland, lost 1-0.
At Inter, coach Simone Inzaghi first alternated between Samir Handanovic and Onana, the Slovenian playing in the Italian championship and the Cameroonian in the Champions League, before the Indomitable Lion imposed himself as a starter from of October in both competitions. After testing positive for furosemide in October 2020, the goalkeeper had been suspended from football for a year in early February 2021; reduced to nine months after an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The Inter Milan star’s dismissal is believed to have come after a shouting match with manager Rigobert Song over the keeper’s style of play.
He has been replaced by Devis Epassy in goal, who plays his club football for Abha in Saudi Arabia and has made just five international appearances.
The game is a vital one in Cameroon’s tournament, as a loss would leave them needing Switzerland to beat Brazil to have any chance of reaching the knockout stage.
Onana’s dismissal is believed to have come after an argument with manager Rigobert Song over the team’s tactics.
According to reports from Helena Condis Edo, Onana sees his relationship with the team as ‘irreversible’ despite attempts from Cameroon Football Federation president, and legendary striker, Samuel Eto’o to mediate peace talks.
Marca claim the argument came after Song shouted at the keeper during training for taking too many risks playing with his feet.
The coach wanted him to play in a more conventional fashion and was unhappy with the way the keeper advanced off his line.
It was decided soon after that Onana should leave the squad, and will not return during the tournament.
Song and Onana are believed to have spoken after the tumultuous training session, and the keeper refused to change his style of play.
Onana’s dismissal means he will miss out on a reunion with his former Ajax teammate Dusan Tadic, who could be a key player in the game as he looks to feed Aleksandar Mitrovic.
The Cameroon keeper played with Tadic in Holland for four years before leaving for Inter Milan over the summer, where he has struggled to secure regular football.
Cameroon currently lead Serbia 1-0 in the vital Group G clash, and could be on course to keeping their World Cup dreams alive a little longer.