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André Onana quits Cameroon national team following World Cup fallout 

Onana was axed from the Cameroonian squad in Qatar following a fallout with Coach Rigobert Song and football federation president Samuel Etoo.

• December 23, 2022
Andre Onana
Andre Onana [ Photo Credit: The Athletic]

Cameroon national team goalkeeper, André Onana, has announced his retirement from international football following the controversies that marred his shortened outing with the team at the just concluded FIFA World Cup.

The Inter Milan goalkeeper fell out with Indomitable Lions head coach Rigobert Song during the World Cup in Qatar over disagreement about his playing style and Samuel Eto’o, who is the president of the Cameroon Football Federation meddling in the team’s affair at the tournament.

As a result of the outburst, Onana was temporarily suspended from the squad in Qatar before the federation later announced that the 26-year-old would not be part of the team for the remainder of the competition, missing Cameroon’s last two games in the competition.

Following the incident the former Ajax goalie released a statement denying any wrongdoing, maintaining that he always behaved like a professional when doing his job while saying he was finding solutions to the issues.

However, Onana has now decided to call it quits on his international career with the Cameroon national team which had produced more than 30 appearances. 

He wrote in a social media statement on Friday morning:

“My story with the Cameroonian national team has come to an end. Players come and go, names are fleeting, but Cameroon comes before any person or player. Cameroon remains eternal and so does my love for the national team and for our people who have always supported us no matter how difficult the moment was,” a part of the statement said.

It added: “My feelings will never change. My Cameroonian heart will continue to beat and wherever I go I will always fight to lift the flag of Cameron as high as possible. I Will continue to support as a fan, just as the more than 27 million Cameroonians do at every match. I can only thank all those who trusted me and believed that I could add and contribute to this team.

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