Cameroon goalkeeper Onana leaves World Cup after dispute with coach
Mali coach Vincent Denia and Onana both left the World Cup with Cameroon after a dispute over training methods.
Denia and Cameroon coach Jerome Marchand argued with Onana during a training session in April, according to reports. Marchand allegedly told Onana that his role was to prepare the players for a possible second chance at the World Cup.
Marchand responded by telling Onana that he thought he did not know the role of a goalkeeper, according to Le Figaro. Onana’s response was, “You’re a coach, you are training, you don’t know anything,” according to French media. The two exchanged insults, with Onana telling Marchand he was “not a team captain,” according to reports. Reports of the argument were verified by Cameroon Football Federation secretary Issa Tchiroma Edegbeni.
Onana went on a leave of absence. He has not returned to Cameroon, and his last appearance in the World Cup took place in the semi-final, when he was replaced by Raphael Battaglia. Onana said the team, which had qualified for the final by winning the Africa Cup of Nations, was not happy with Marchand.
“We have not found this new coach, we have done everything with him, and after all we are coming back to the tournament,” the goalkeeper said. “It is very disappointing for us, but we are waiting to take revenge against them.”
Marchand, a former France and Italy midfielder, left Brazil to assume the top post at Cameroon last month after Lucien Favre was sacked. Marchand, who has won the world title with Lyon and had also played for Italy, was