With Andre Onana having been dropped to the bench for Cameroon's final group match at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, the goalkeeper's shock reaction to the decision has now reportedly been revealed.
The Indomitable Lions booked their spot in the round of 16 following a thrilling 3-2 victory over The Gambia on Tuesday, with Rigobert Song's side doing so in quite dramatic fashion as Christopher Wooh guided his header into the back of the net during stoppage time.
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The result put a lot of nerves to rest as the four-time AFCON champions were at risk of elimination after collecting just one point in their first two group games in the Ivory Coast, against Guinea and current trophy holders Senegal.
However, ahead of that match, many were left surprised by coach Song's surprise decision to drop controversial goalkeeper Onana from the starting XI.
The Manchester United star has been a contentious figure at AFCON after arriving late for the tournament on his own due to his decision to stay longer at Old Trafford in order to play against Tottenham Hotspur on 14 January.
He thus played no part in Cameroon's first group match against Guinea as he arrived in the Ivory Coast less than 24 hours before the fixture got underway, but he was thrown into the starting line-up for their second game against Senegal, during which he conceded three goals and made no saves, according to BR Football.
It has since been reported that Onana was not happy at all about his snub on Tuesday, getting into an argument with the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, Samuel Eto'o, as a result.
According to Sport News Africa, a source said: "It was Song who decided to change the goalkeepers and put [Fabrice] Ondoa back as number 1, following a meeting with some of the team's players, who didn't like Onana given the context.
"It was only [Tuesday] morning that he found out he wasn't playing.
"He had a verbal altercation with Eto'o, but Eto'o didn't reply, so Onana lost his temper before calming down and staying with the group to accept his fate."
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Cameroon will take on Nigeria in the AFCON round of 16 on Saturday, 27 January.
Samuel Eto'o got emotional with his boys' comeback! ?? #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 l @FecafootOfficie pic.twitter.com/pDw8sfDbHD
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 23, 2024
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