CAN 2022: Cameroonians have defensive concerns to correct
Cameroon goalkeeper André Onana conceded a goal in every match of the first round of CAN 2022. He himself admits “defensive errors” on which he must “work”.
AP - Themba Hadebe
Text by: Nicolas Bamba Follow
3 mins
Cameroon confirmed its first place in group A by drawing with Cape Verde (1-1) on Monday 17 January.
The Indomitable Lions will be at the Olembé stadium for their round of 16 of this CAN 2022. But once again, they failed to keep their clean sheet.
André Onana, the goalkeeper, admits too many "
errors
" lately.
Advertising
Read more
From our special correspondent at the Olembé stadium,
The Indomitable Lions have an appointment in a week with the knockout phase of
CAN 2022
.
After the 1-1 against Cape Verde on Monday January 17 for their third and last match of the first round, they will play their round of 16 on January 24, still in this Olembé stadium.
A privilege obtained thanks to their
first place in Group
A.
"
It was really important for us to stay in Yaoundé, to play in this great stadium
", confirms André Onana, a few minutes after the final whistle.
The goalkeeper and his teammates are "
happy with the qualification
" but "
perhaps not with the result
".
The series of six consecutive victories of the Cameroonians, including two during this CAN, is over.
“
We were not well, we slept on the goal
”
Unlike Burkina Faso and Ethiopia, Cape Verde did not score the first goal of the game.
But the Blue Sharks shook the net after the break through Garry Rodrigues, who came on eight minutes earlier.
Kenny Rocha escaped behind Harold Moukoudi and Michael Ngadeu and served his teammate for the equaliser.
► Schedule, match results and team standings
“
Defensively, we were not good.
We slept on the goal
, ”recognizes André Onana.
“
Whoever makes the fewest mistakes wins.
Unfortunately for us, we have been committing too much lately
”, continues the Ajax Amsterdam goalkeeper, according to whom Cameroonians “
have to be critical of themselves
”.
“
We have to work to fix these defensive errors
,” he insists.
"
If my style bothers... get used to it!"
»
Be careful, however, not to put everything on the shoulders of the Indomitable Lions No. 24. While journalists questioned him about his way of playing, André Onana displayed a surprised look before retorting: "
I have played against big nations and big clubs and I don't know of a team that doesn't take goal. Today, you bring that goal back to me; I don't play alone! Defensive mistakes are made by me and my teammates.
»
“
My style of play is that. If it bothers or disturbs certain people… well, get used to it!
he laughs. The last rampart of Cameroon sees the glass half full. As after the match against Ethiopia, he looks above all at the final result: “
If we have to concede goals and win, I sign. The most important thing is not to concede goals but the victory of the collective.
»
Realistic about the current shortcomings of Cameroon, attached to the essentials, that is to say the qualification and the 7 points taken out of 9 possible, André Onana looks towards the next few weeks with determination.
“
We have to win the CAN.
It is our duty
,” he repeats.
It remains to know the identity of the future adversary.
“
We are not afraid of any opponent.
It doesn't matter who comes
, ”promises the goalkeeper.
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_EN
CAN
AFCON 2022
AFCON 2021
Sports
Soccer
Cameroon