Cameroonian midfielder Alex Song has announced his retirement from international football, less than two weeks before the start of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
The 27-year-old, who is currently on loan at West Ham from Barcelona, was initially left out of the Indomitable Lions' squad headed to Equatorial Guinea this month, with the playmaker having fallen out of favour with coach Volker Finke since the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Song was, however, given a late call up to the national team, although he has since made the decision to hang up his international boots following crunch talks with the Cameroon Football Federation.
"Since the World Cup in the summer and my subsequent exclusion from the Cameroon squad for the Africa Cup of Nations I have taken the decision to retire from international football," said Song, whose last contirubtion for the national team was his sending off against Croatia at last year's World Cup.
The 27-year-old, who is currently on loan at West Ham from Barcelona, was initially left out of the Indomitable Lions' squad headed to Equatorial Guinea this month, with the playmaker having fallen out of favour with coach Volker Finke since the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Song was, however, given a late call up to the national team, although he has since made the decision to hang up his international boots following crunch talks with the Cameroon Football Federation.
"Since the World Cup in the summer and my subsequent exclusion from the Cameroon squad for the Africa Cup of Nations I have taken the decision to retire from international football," said Song, whose last contirubtion for the national team was his sending off against Croatia at last year's World Cup.
"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.
"My love for my country will never change but I want to take time to focus purely on domestic football and start to rebuild my career at West Ham United.
"I wish Cameroon all the best and the team will always be in my heart."
"My love for my country will never change but I want to take time to focus purely on domestic football and start to rebuild my career at West Ham United.
"I wish Cameroon all the best and the team will always be in my heart."
By: Farai Diza
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