<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/cameroon-national-team-tv-schedule/">Cameroon</a> head coach Rigobert Song suspended star goalkeeper Andre Onana. The decision arrived prior to the team’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/cameroon-shootout-with-serbia-brings-hope-20221128-WST-410292.html">thrilling 3-3 draw</a> against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/serbia-national-team-tv-schedule/">Serbia</a> on Monday. Onana was not on the teamsheet for the match. </p>



<p>“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,” a <a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/cameroon-onana-world-cup-2022-suspended-b1043372.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">statement</a> on the situation read.</p>



<p>“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.”</p>



<h2>Head coach of Cameroon suspends Andre Onana</h2>



<p>The Inter Milan keeper previously played the opening match of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">World Cup</a> for Cameroon. However, the Indomitable Lions lost the game 1-0 against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/switzerland-national-team-tv-schedule/">Switzerland</a>. Following the defeat, Onana and Song apparently began a feud based on team tactics. 29-year-old Devis Epassy filled in for Onana between the posts on Monday. </p>



<h5>Goalkeeper rejects that he was problematic</h5>



<p>Onana responded. He claimed he “always behaved in a way to lead the team to success in a good manner.”</p>



<p>“Yesterday I was not allowed to be on the ground to help Cameroon, as always do, to achieve the team’s goals,” Onana <a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/cameroon-onana-world-cup-2022-suspended-b1043372.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">continued</a>. “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.”</p>



<p>“However, I always respect and support the decisions of the people in charge of pursuing the success of our team and country.”</p>



<p>Cameroon must beat <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/brazil-national-team-tv-schedule/">Brazil</a> on Friday if they are to advance to the knockout phase. The African nation must also hope that Serbia can get a result against Switzerland as well.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / AFLOSPORT</em></p>


Cameroon suspends Andre Onana through World Cup

Star goalkeeper Andre Onana suspended by Cameroon coach because of disciplinary reasons, but the player disagrees.

<p>Cameroon was winning. Then, it was losing. Then, it was winning again. The 3-3 shootout was a rollercoaster of emotions, to say the least. There were 28 total shots, four yellow cards and some of the biggest drama of the World Cup.</p>



<p>It began with Jean-Charles Castellano’s 29th-minute strike to give Cameroon an early lead. Olympiacos midfielder Pierre Kunde sent a big corner towards a huge horde of players. Somehow, the ball made its way to an unmarked Castellano, who tapped in the game’s first goal.</p>



<p>The <em>Indomitable Lions</em>‘ lead did not last long. Serbia’s Strahinja Pavlović&nbsp;lost Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa on a Dušan Tadić free kick and knocked a header past goalkeeper Devis Epassy. Serbia doubled their goal count with Andrija Živković’s calculated pass to Sergej Milinković-Savić, who sent a weak shot past Epassy just before halftime ended.</p>



<p>Serbia looked like it would kill the game following a passing sequence that looked like they were just toying with their prey. Tadić dribbled down the box before laying it off to Aleksandar Mitrović, who switched to Milinković-Savić. The Lazio man beat a defender before passing to Živković, who found Mitrović, and his second assist of the day, right in front of the goal.</p>



<h2>Attack carries Cameroon to key 3-3 draw against Serbia</h2>



<p>Vincent Aboubakar’s appearance in the 64th minute changed everything. Castelletto launched a long ball that Aboubakar latched onto. He beat a Serbian defender at the edge of the box off a counter-attack, dragged the ball back, and sent an impeccable chip over Vanja Milinković-Savić to make the game 2-3 for Cameroon.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WHAT A CHIP 🔥<br><br>After a VAR check, the goal stands and Cameroon takes one back! 🇨🇲 <a href="https://t.co/2zwCtckDjW">pic.twitter.com/2zwCtckDjW</a></p>— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1597191379016306688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>Again striking off a counter-attack just two minutes, Aboubakar threatened goal on the right flank. His proximity to the goal and free space all around him forced the sole defender to mark him. The Al-Nassr striker then switched the ball back to Choupo-Moting, who scored to make the game 3-3.</p>



<p>Although Mitrovic nearly scored several times to give the game its seventh(!!) goal, Cameroon clung on to its sole point. Although impressive, the draw puts Cameroon at a massive disadvantage. Cameroon now needs a win against Brazil and favorable results from the Serbia-Switzerland game to have any chance of moving to the knockout round.</p>



<h5>Onana out of the squad</h5>



<p>Andre Onana was the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/cameroon-faces-biggest-test-in-decades-at-the-world-cup-20221116-WST-408335.html">key player for Cameroon’s squad</a>; the engine that could the Indomitable Lions roar. So it was very surprising when news came out that Onana left Qatar and dropped out of the team. Onana is dedicated to the team; he has over 34 caps and led Cameroon to third place at AFCON. So why would he drop out?</p>



<p>Renowned source Fabrizio Romano reported that manager Rigobert Song <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1597156627094069248" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">kicked Onana out of the starting lineup</a> due to his sweeper-keeper style of play. He protested, and Song fired back with an indefinite suspension from the national team until he agreed to change his playstyle. But that’s the thing; Onana is known for his involvement in defense. He makes his name off of his high amount of touches. So, he dropped out, and Song started Epassy.</p>



<p>Of course, we know how it turned out. Defensive blunders turned to offensive brilliance helped save the day and prevent elimination for Cameroon, but some may feel that with the Inter stopper, Cameroon would win the game.</p>



<p>You can only guess how Cameroon’s game with Brazil will go without Onana. There is always the possibility of a shock upset like Cameroon almost pulled off against Serbia. But, without the shot-stopping Song has come to expect, Cameroon will surely have a rough time.</p>



<h5>Aboubakar makes his case for a starting spot</h5>



<p>Where one player leaves, another steps up.</p>



<p>Why did Song bench Aboubakar? Why isn’t he playing the full 90? Vincent Aboubakar gave both questions life when he scored once and assisted once to turn the Cameroon game against Serbia on its head. </p>



<p>His decision to leave Aboubakar on the bench is questionable to say the least, especially as Aboubakar played a key role in Cameroon’s AFCON and World Cup qualifying campaigns. He also brings something that Cameroon desperately need: an aerial presence. He holds up the ball, converts big chances and gives Cameroon an extra layer of offense. </p>



<p>Not starting Aboubakar before was disagreeable. He is a key player, experienced and, although aging, is still a proficient goal-scorer. Now, benching Aboubakar is foolish. He just scored a goal and assisted for Cameroon in a crucial game the minute he stepped on the field. How could you not try to replicate that in Thursday’s game with Brazil?</p>



<p>Aboubakar should start next game for Cameroon due to his impressive performance against Serbia. Yet, the Indomitable Lions need another masterclass from the vetted forward.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Agencia MexSport</em></p>



<div style="background:#f9e4ea;padding:10px;">
<h3>Guide to World Cup 2022</h3>
<div style="padding:10px;">
Here are some resources to help you get the most out of the biggest event in soccer!
</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/"><strong>TV Schedule:</strong></a> All the info on <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/">where and when to watch</a> every game
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/04/analysis-of-world-cup-groups/"><strong>The Groups:</strong></a> We <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/04/analysis-of-world-cup-groups/">breakdown each group</a> and all the teams
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-jerseys-for-qatar-2022/"><strong>The Kits:</strong></a> Check out <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-jerseys-for-qatar-2022/">what every team will be wearing</a> on the field this fall
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/predictor/"><strong>Predictor:</strong></a> Play out every scenario with our <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/predictor/">World Cup Predictor</a>
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/05/world-cup-bracket-free-download/"><strong>World Cup Bracket:</strong></a> Map out the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/05/world-cup-bracket-free-download/">entire tournament</a>, from the groups to the final
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/"><strong>World Cup Hub:</strong></a> Your one stop for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">everything Qatar 2022</a>
</div>
</div>


Cameroon 3-3 thriller with Serbia brings hope

What went wrong and what went well in the Cameroon stalemate with Serbia. The draw brings hope to a Cameroon team searching for success.

Cameroon 3-3 thriller with Serbia brings hope - World Soccer Talk

Latest news from Rigobert Song. Find out about all the news related to Rigobert Song on worldsoccertalk.com

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Rigobert Song"

News

Cameroon suspends Andre Onana through World Cup

News

Cameroon 3-3 thriller with Serbia brings hope