Cameroon in hope against hope in Brazil battle

• Cameroon are third in the group with one point
• They must beat Brazil to progress
• Andre Onana left the squad after missing the last match

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon take on Brazil in their final group match at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with a must win agenda on their plate. The African giants are on only one point after their high-octane 3-3 draw against Serbia in their last match.

To make it to the last 16, they have to beat the already qualified Brazilians by more than two goals. They will also be hoping that Serbia and Switzerland play to a draw in the other group match to be played concurrently.

Head coach Rigobert Song says they know what they face when they take on the South American giants and he believes they can do their best to produce a shock.

“In football nothing is impossible. We have prepared to try and win and we will go to win for our nation and our continent. We know we face a big task but we will battle for a victory,” said the tactician.

They hope to put the off field issues surrounding goalkeeper Andre Onana behind their backs and focus for three points.

Onana dropped last minute

Soccer Football – Africa Cup of Nations 2019 – Group F – Benin v Cameroon – Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia, Egypt – July 2, 2019 Cameroon’s Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui and Andre Onana in action with Benin’s Seidou Baraze and Steve Mounie REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Onana was dropped from their squad for the Serbia game over apparent disciplinary reasons and ultimately, he has left the squad and returned home.

The Inter Milan goalkeeper released a statement, shortly after it was revealed he was going to depart from the squad.

In his statement he said; “’I want to express my affection for my country and the national team. Yesterday, I was not allowed to be on the ground to help Cameroon as I always do, to achieve the team’s goals.”

“I have put all my efforts and energy into finding solutions to a situation that a footballer often experiences, but there has been no will on the other side. Some moments are difficult to assimilate and I will always respect and support the decisions of the people in charge of pursuing the success of our team and country.”

According to renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano, the goalkeeper differed with head coach Song over his style of play. Song prefers a more ‘traditional’ goalkeeper, while Onana was not willing to change his style to suit that of the coach.

Cameroon Federation support Song

Coach Rigobert Song

With no consensus reached between the two, he was dropped from the squad in the last minute and a decision made to send him back home.

The Cameroonian Federation FECAFOOT released a statement to that effect.

They said; “The Cameroon Football Federation hereby informs the public that following Mr. Rigobert Song Bahanag’s decision, Head Coach of the Indomitable Lions, the player Andre Onana has been temporarily suspended from the group for disciplinary reasons,”

“The Cameroon Football Federation reiterates its full support to the Head Coach and his entire staff as they implement the Federation’s policy aimed at preserving discipline, solidarity, complementarity and cohesion within the national team.

“FECAFOOT further reaffirms its commitment to create a peaceful atmosphere for the team and to provide them with adequate facilities for an outstanding performance.”

The Indomitable Lions hopes this squabble will not affect their performance against Brazil. Coach Song is expected to hand a starting role to striker Vincent Abubakar who made a difference when he came from the bench against Serbia.