Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana has been dropped from the second matchday fixture against Serbia after falling out with manager Rigobert Song.
Song is a legendary figure in Cameroonian football, having represented the Indomitable Lions at four World Cup tournaments – and having been sent off in two. The 2022 competition is the first time that every one of the African sides at the World Cup is managed by someone from that nation, incidentally.
But Song has had a huge disagreement with Inter Milan stopper Onana, according to renowned Italian journalist, Fabrizio Romano, who says that the pair have clashed over goalkeeping styles.
André Onana has been removed from Cameroon’s squad. Been told that the reason is a discussion with head coach as he insisted for different style of goalkeeping, more ‘traditional’ 🇨🇲 #Qatar2022Onana has no intention to change his style — tense situation & so he’s been excluded. pic.twitter.com/UuoFp3WdLzNovember 28, 2022
"Andre Onana has been removed from Cameroon’s squad," Romano revealed on Twitter this morning. "Been told that the reason is a discussion with head coach as he insisted for different style of goalkeeping, more ‘traditional’".
This would suggest that Song was in fact the one who asked for a more "traditional" style of goalkeeping – perhaps playing the ball longer than looking to play out from the back.
Onana is schooled in the modern style of building with short passes at the back, which he did under Erik ten Hag when he played at Ajax. Second-choice keeper Devis Epassy is a rookie in comparison: the French-born back-up represents Saudi Pro League club Abha at domestic level and has only played five times for Cameroon prior.
Third-choice goalkeeper, Simon Ngapandouetnbu, is the youngest keeper in the entire competition and not only is he yet to be capped by the Indomitable Lions, he has never even played a senior league football match.
