Russian flag in Qatar
The Switzerland-Cameroon match, which opened the schedule of the next match day of the 2022 World Cup, was remarkable for the Russian fans, as the only player with Russian citizenship could show up on the field in the tournament.
Playing in the youth team of the capital CSKA, Moscow Lokomotiv graduate Gael Ondua, the 27-year-old defender of the Cameroon national team, played 25 games in the Russian Premier League for Makhachkala Anji. then went to Swiss Servette and now plays for Hannover in the second German Bundesliga.
Ondua really took the field in the 68th minute, where his team had already lost with a score of 0: 1 and finally held out until the final whistle.
But the main event was the application of the flags of Cameroon and the Russian Federation to the player’s boots.
“In Cameroon they think that Russia is always cold”
“Russian and Cameroonian flag boots? Russia is my home. Therefore, I represent both the Cameroon national team and the Russian national team. And so it always will be. While playing football – and until the end of my days – Sports.ru quotes Ondua.
– I was very well received in the Cameroon team, the guys are young, we communicate a lot. Everything is going well. They are asking about Russia. They want to know how things really are and they don’t post on the internet. They are always surprised when I tell them. They thought everything was wrong. In Russia, they think that bears walk the streets and it’s always cold. Forget that there are seasons. I’m telling them too.”
This match for Ondua placed fourth in the Cameroon national team, which he selected ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
The football player, who played only two games for Hannover in the second German Bundesliga, took part in 27 games last season and became the main player of the team.
The Cameroon national team lost 0-1 in the opening match of the World Cup, and ironically the Swiss team scored the only goal from the right-handed striker Breel Embolo, who was just born in Cameroon. national team of this African country.
Interestingly, at the end of the meeting, another player connected with Russia appeared in the Cameroon team. But we are talking about the Dynamo Moscow midfielder Mumi Ngamale, who did not have time to prove himself.
Brazil and Serbia are also in Group G. Now, on November 28, Cameroon will face the Serbs in the second round, and the Lions will face off against the five-time world champion on December 2. The best two combined fours will advance to the 1/8 finals.
“Now I will support Cameroon”
For socialbites.ca, Ondua’s move was interpreted by the famous coach Rinat Bilyaletdinov, who once worked for Lokomotiv.
“Well done. I think this sport should be outside of politics but most of them do and there is nothing shameful here. In boots – if they are allowed why not? If they are not punished for this, the expert believes.
“Some people may think it’s daring, but it’s the norm. If someone calls the norm courage, so be it. I have an action that makes me deeply respect such a player. Now I will support Cameroon. I will support them in solidarity with this man.”
Source: Gazeta
Gregory Robert is a sports aficionado and a writer for “Social Bites”. He provides in-depth coverage of the latest sporting events and trends, offering a unique and knowledgeable perspective on the world of sports.