Cameroon manager Rigobert Song has refrained from singling out goalkeeper Andre Onana following their significant 3-1 defeat to Senegal. Onana, who missed the tournament’s opening game due to a delayed departure from Manchester United, returned to the starting lineup for Friday’s match but couldn’t prevent Senegal from securing a decisive victory.
Criticism arose from fans regarding Onana’s performance on Senegal’s third goal, scored by Sadio Mane in the late stages, where the goalkeeper appeared slow to react to a low strike, dashing Cameroon’s hopes for a much-needed point.
After the game, Song took responsibility for the defeat, stating, “I’m not going to blame anyone; I’m going to take responsibility. My players fought. We must recognize that Senegal were better than us. The next match, we will win and qualify for the next round.”
The loss leaves Cameroon in third place in Group C, outside the automatic qualification spots. Even a victory over bottom-placed The Gambia may not be sufficient to secure a top-two position, potentially requiring Cameroon to advance as one of the best third-placed finishers.
Reflecting on the match, Onana acknowledged the challenges faced against the African champions but emphasized the team’s determination to give their all in the upcoming crucial fixture. Despite the difficult situation, he highlighted the need to learn from mistakes and acknowledged the quality of the opposing team.
Cameroon’s potential early exit from AFCON would see Onana returning to Manchester United before the end of the month. The team is scheduled to face Wolves on February 1, followed by a visit from West Ham three days later.
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