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André Onana has announced via a statement on Twitter that his international career is over. The former goalkeeper of Ajax defended Cameroon’s goal 34 times, including a duel at the last World Cup.
“I fulfilled my dream,” says Onana. “Every story has its end.”
Still, the farewell is striking, since 26-year-old Onana still has his best years ahead of him. It is more likely that a quarrel with national coach Rigobert Song is at the root of the goalkeeper’s rigorous decision.
Song believed that Onana put too much risk in his game and spoke to him about this during the last world championship. Since Onana did not comply with that request, Song decided to pass him. “I have to make sure that the team’s interest is above that of any individual.”
Devis Epassy was allowed to keep the last two duels, reason for Onana to leave the tournament early.
Song is still national coach for the time being
Song (46) has an impressive record with Cameroon. The former defender is the record international of his country with 137 international matches. Since 2016 he has been employed by the association as a trainer in various positions. His contract as national coach runs until 2024.
It is not the first time that Onana has shown herself to be a bad loser. When trainer Erik ten Hag passed him this year for Ajax’s cup final against PSV, he also did not sit on the bench with the team from Amsterdam. Onana now plays for Internazionale in Serie A.
With Onana on target, Cameroon finished third at the Africa Cup in their own country earlier this year. After that tournament, Song was passed on as the person in charge.
