Cameroon secured their spot in the Round of 16 of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a thrilling 3-2 victory against Gambia, yet the triumph was overshadowed by Coach Rigobert Song’s surprising choice to start Fabrice Ondoa over André Onana. Alain Traoré, a consultant on Canal AFCON, unveiled a crucial insight into this decision.
The match unfolded as a rollercoaster, with Cameroon needing a win to advance. Ondoa, the unexpected choice, justified his selection, ultimately contributing to the team’s success.
Georges Kevin Nkoudou’s brilliance set up Karl Toko Ekambi for the opener, but Gambia responded strongly, taking the lead.
Cameroon, resilient and unwavering, managed to level the score with a Gambian own goal and secured the win with Christopher Wooh’s decisive strike.
The spotlight, however, turned to André Onana, who found himself on the bench for this critical encounter. Traoré, shedding light on the behind-the-scenes dynamics, revealed that Cameroonian players conveyed to Song that they felt more secure with Ondoa in goal than Onana.
This revelation added a layer of complexity to the ongoing debate about Song’s goalkeeping choices.
The former Burkinabè international, Alain Traoré, commented on the situation, stating, “According to what I heard, the Cameroonian players told Rigobert Song that the defense is more reassured when Fabrice Ondoa is in the cages than André Onana.”
This insight into the team dynamics fueled speculation about Onana’s future role in the tournament.
Nabil Djellit, a journalist on set, expressed concern for Onana’s prospects, suggesting that it might be the end of his prominent role in the competition.
Djellit pointed out that Song has found stability and reassurance with Ondoa in goal, hinting that Onana might remain on the bench for the remainder of AFCON 2023.
The goalkeeping controversy adds an intriguing subplot to Cameroon’s AFCON journey, creating anticipation about Song’s future lineup decisions and the potential impact on team dynamics.
#ToutPourLaCAN 🌍 : “La défense est plus rassurée avec Ondoa dans les buts, qu’avec Onana !” 🗣
Une nouvelle fois impeccable dans les cages camerounaises, Fabrice Ondoa 🇨🇲 a peut-être gagné sa place pour la suite de la compétition. pic.twitter.com/tF13BwPMLJ
— CANAL+ SPORT Afrique (@cplussportafr) January 23, 2024
