With just days before the African Cup of Nations begin in Equatorial Guinea, on-loan West Ham midfielder Alexander Song has announced his immediate retirement from international football. Song, who was left out of Volker Finke’s squad for the tournament hoped to get a late call-up to the Cameroon team but talks broke down and has decided to end his international career. His last game for Cameroon ended shamefully as he was sent off for an off-the-ball incident in a 4-0 defeat to Croatia at the 2014 World Cup.
Song made his international debut for the Indomitable Lions in November 2005 in a match against Morocco. His first competitive tournament was the AFCON 2008 in Ghana where they were defeated by Egypt in the final. He impressed with his defensive duties and was named in the Team of the Tournament. He went on to feature more regularly and became a key player in the national side and was also named in the Team of the Tournament in the 2010 AFCON. Song was also named in Cameroon’s squad for the 2010 World Cup, his only appearance coming in a 2-1 defeat to Denmark.
Song participated in his second World Cup in Brazil in 2014 where they lost to Mexico, Croatia and Brazil in the group stages. He was sent off for a cynical incident when he elbowed Mario Mandžukić. The midfielder was handed a 3-match international ban and was fined. After failing to make the Cameroon team for the upcoming AFCON, Song citing his wish to focus on rebuilding his domestic career with West Ham United has drawn the curtains in his international career.
He said on Instagram: “My love for my country will never change. I want to take time to focus purely on domestic football and start to rebuild my career at West Ham United.” Song went on to say: “Since the World Cup in the summer and my subsequent exclusion from the Cameroon squad for the African Cup of Nations I have taken the decision to retire from international football,” Song, who won 47 caps, said. It is true that there were some discussions of late to include me in the squad for this tournament but I feel after a lot of careful thought and numerous discussions with my family this is the right decision.”
Song had a solid international career but won’t be remembered much as a legend as many players have had more promising international careers such as Samuel Eto’o, Roger Milla and Rigobert Song (cousin of Alex Song) to name a few.
This comes as good news for Sam Allardyce and the West Ham faithful as Cheikou Kouyaté will be participating in the AFCON for the Senegalese national team.
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