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Women's Football
Udeze slams Rigobert Song for Axing Onana from Cameroon World Cup squad
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Former Super Eagles defender Ifeanyi Udeze believes Cameroon coach Rigobert Song poorly managed the situation with first choice goalkeeper André Onana, suggesting it was wrong to axe the 26 year-old.
Onana was reportedly dropped from the starting line up before the Group G match between Cameroon and Serbia.
It was reported that the goalkeeper questioned Song and vowed never to adapt his style of play in the team.
Song however dropped the former Ajax star, and the Indomitable Lions went on to concede three goals against Serbia, although they managed to savage a point from the game.
“I believe there must have been issue between Onana and the coach. Rigobert Song,” Udeze who played at the 2002 FIFA World Cup said on Brila FM’s coverage of the tournament in Qatar.
“Song should have managed the situation. After the tournament, you may wish not to invite the player as the coach if you remain there or even as the FA President but not during the tournament.
“When Jay-Jay Okocha was playing for the Super Eagles, if the coach felt he showboated a lot, he will be replaced but will still start the next game or be part of the game from the bench,”
“Cameroon had the chance to score but they gave away this game. You can’t throw your best players out. The worse case scenario, you substitute the player. This is a tournament proper.
“When Aliou Cissé’s Senegal lost to the Netherlands and he defended his keeper, Mendy, he knew what he was doing.
“Cisse knows how to manage players. He’s a good man manager. His keeper made a mistake but he defended him. And even Kalidou Koulibaly against the Netherlands. And the next game, they won.
“Unless the behavior of the player is so bad, you have to do proper man management.”
Udeze also heaped praise on the team for picking a point, despite trailing 3-1.
Cameroon will face Brazil in their final group game at the Lusail Stadium, Lusail on Friday.
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