Onana’s axing boosted Cameroon, says Song

DOHA. — Andre Onana’s dramatic axing from Cameroon’s squad to face Serbia helped inspire the African side in their rousing performance yesterday.

The Inter Milan goalkeeper’s World Cup hopes hang by a thread after an explosive row with coach Rigobert Song resulted in him being excluded from the side to play in the Group G clash.

It is understood that the manager and his player do not see eye to eye on the goalkeeping style of play.

Cameroon were staring down the barrel of a demoralising defeat on Monday before two quickfire goals from Vincent Aboubakar and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting helped the Indomitable Lions secure a point.

And boss Song has insisted that the tension in camp actually inspired the team to fight back.

“Andre has now been left out for disciplinary reasons,’ he explained. ‘I think we needed to make that decision. It was something that had to happen and maybe it was the trigger we needed for this performance.

“In a squad you need to see discipline and if you can’t fit in with that discipline, with what’s required to be part of a squad, then you need to accept responsibility for that. “We don’t question his ability — he plays for one of the top teams in Europe — but you need to ensure the team takes precedence over the individual.”

It had been reported that Onana was immediately sent home by Song, but the coach insists that no decision has been made on the goalkeeper’s World Cup future.

“At the moment I’ve asked him to wait and we will see if he is going to stay with us. It’s up to him,” Song continued.

“The squad is more important than the interests of the individual.”