Song - Lions spirit has gone

Midfielder denies bust-up with Eto'o

Last updated: 24th June 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Song - Lions spirit has gone

Song: Disharmony in Cameroon camp

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Alex Song has described Cameroon's team spirit as being like a broken family ahead of their clash against Holland.

The Arsenal midfielder heads into Thursday's Group E game knowing his side cannot reach the knock-out stages of the South Africa finals.

Defeats to Japan and Denmark have compounded disharmony in the camp, with talisman striker Samuel Eto'o at the heart of a quarrel with former player Roger Milla prior to the start of the tournament.

Song, who was also said to have argued with Eto'o, rejected any bust-up with his team-mate but admitted the characters in the dressing room have not done the Indomitable Lions jersey justice.

Egos

"To me it is a huge mess," the 22-year-old told L'Equipe. "With our players, we should achieve good things.

"Egos of some of us got the upper hand. The country didn't deserve that. Everyone has to question himself, the coach and the players.

"There was a very bad atmosphere in the group. In 2008, we were just like a family. Today the group has been split."

Song, who did not start the opening game defeat to Japan, revealed he was carrying an injury but insisted he was hurt by the omission.

"I have been injured for three weeks in my left knee," he added.

"I told the coach, playing the three friendlies, I was not sure I could be fit. But I told him I would be fit for our first World Cup match. Now when I heard what he said about me, I am disappointed.

"I never had any fight with Samuel Eto'o. In a group you can be upset with someone, but the most important thing is to forget it when you are on the pitch."