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Cameroon were their biggest enemy when they failed to capitalise on some numerical advantage to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/frank-magri-cameroon-draw-guinea-francois-kamano-africa-cup-of-nations/bltbb1fbac0c135c1e2" target="_blank">draw 1-1 with Guinea</a> in their Group C opener.GOAL runs through raw quotes from Rigobert Song and Mali coach Kaba Diawara.<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Afcon 2023: Rigobert Song opens up on omission of Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana after Guinea frustrated Cameroon

Onana arrived in Ivory Coast in the early hours of Monday and immediately joined camp but was dropped from the team that faced Guinea."No, Andre [Onana], we all know that [he wouldn't play]," said Song on<a href="https://www.beinsports.com/en-au/football/africa-cup-of-nations/articles-video/cameroon-coach-song-on-why-onana-got-dropped-2024-01-16" target="_blank"> beIN Sports.</a>"We need to stick to our logic. He arrived at 4 am, how do you expect him to play at 5 pm? He is part of the group."So he is part of the squad. There is the rest of the competition and I'm sticking with my full squad."

What happened with Onana?

Cameroon conceded as early as the 10th minute in what was a slow start to the match and they had to force a comeback in the second half."The start of the match was difficult for us, especially in the first 30 minutes," Song told <a href="https://www.cafonline.com/caf-africa-cup-of-nations/news/rigobert-song-admits-tough-start/" target="_blank">CAFOnline.</a>"You know how it has been at the start of this tournament. It has always been difficult. We saw how some teams started this tournament."&nbsp;

Difficult start

Guinea went a man down when captain Francois Kamano was red-carded in the stoppage time of the first half.But the Indomitable Lions still struggled to capitalise despite seizing control of the game.“We controlled the flow of the match, but we were not able to score the second goal of the match to take the victory, I hope to do it in the next match,” said Song.

Dominance that yielded nothing

Defending champions Senegal lie in wait for Cameroon and the two sides clash on Friday as Song feels they will correct their mistakes against the Lions of Teranga."We all saw the match, there is a positive part," added Song."We will correct the mistakes, and in the next four days, the players will know their mission. For my part, I will work with my assistants on the technical team to correct the problems we encountered.”

Senegal lie in wait

Diawara feels had they not suffered from a numerical disadvantage, they would have protected their lead."This red card changes our plans," said Diawara as per <a href="https://guineenews.org/kaba-diawara-on-avait-un-scenario-de-match-qui-a-ete-chamboule-ce-nul-est-donc-comptable/" target="_blank">Guinee News</a>."We had prepared our case well, but playing 10 against 11 with the game we are presenting is very complicated. We were missing an attacker at the end, so we fell back."When you place your block 10 meters lower and with the qualities of this Cameroon, it is very complicated. Especially since we started defending with 10 men in the first half. Physically it was very complicated. So this point is welcome."

Diawara bemoans JKamano red card

“Naby, it was planned for him to come back," Diawara added."We had a plan, a match scenario which was completely turned upside down [by Kamano's red card]. That's the only reason he [Keita] didn't come in."So we talked together because when we have a player like him, we take the information, we talk to each other."We were already at 10, and in a match like this, we cannot ask him to defend when that is not his quality. We therefore decided to leave him on the bench."

Why Naby Keita remained on the bench

Afcon 2023: Rigobert Song opens up on omission of Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana after Guinea frustrate Cameroon | Goal.com Cameroon

Cameroon were their biggest enemy when they failed to capitalise on some numerical advantage to draw 1-1 with Guinea in their Group C opener.