Cameroon boss Rigobert Song hails 'little brother' Breel Embolo after the Switzerland forward - who was born in the African nation - refused to celebrate his winner against them and says he is 'happy and proud of him'
- Cameroon boss Rigobert Song praised Breel Embolo's goal for Switzerland
- Song's side were beaten 1-0 courtesy of the forwards' second half strike
- The 25-year-old Monaco forward was born in the Cameroonian capital, Yaounde
- Click here for all the action as Switzerland defeated Cameroon 1-0 on Thursday
- For all the latest updates from Qatar follow Sportsmail's LIVE World Cup blog
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
Cameroon coach Rigobert Song is proud of 'little brother' Breel Embolo despite the Switzerland striker scoring the winning goal against his side in their World Cup Group G opener at the Al Janoub Stadium on Thursday.
Yaounde-born Embolo netted the winner against the country of his birth after 48 minutes but refused to celebrate as the Swiss claimed victory in a game in which they were second best in the first half, but much improved after the break.
Song was seen speaking to Embolo after the game and said he offered his congratulations.
![Rigobert Song praised 'little brother' Breel Embolo's goal against his Cameroon side](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/24/13/64903109-11465983-image-a-52_1669298157196.jpg)
Rigobert Song praised 'little brother' Breel Embolo's goal against his Cameroon side
'We know each other, he is my little brother,' Song told reporters. 'We often speak to each other on the phone and I wanted to congratulate him. It is fair play to do so. Just because we are on different teams, it does not mean we are not still brothers.'
Song added that despite plunging his side to a defeat, he was proud that Embolo had scored a goal at the World Cup.
'He did not celebrate his goal, but this is all part of football,' Song said. 'I am happy for him and proud of him. He is with the Swiss national team and I would have liked him to be on my side, but that is the way of life.
'For us the most important thing is how did we play on the pitch, what could we have done better, rather than worrying who was scoring goals against us.'
Cameroon dominated the opening half and had three excellent chances, but could not find that spark in the second period.
![The Switzerland forward refused to celebrate after scoring against the country of his birth](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/24/13/64903131-11465983-image-a-53_1669298189672.jpg)
The Switzerland forward refused to celebrate after scoring against the country of his birth
'Generally in football, when you are dominating you need to hit the back of the net, it is not enough to have ball possession. We missed that final touch (to score), we were hungry for the win, but the goal did not come,' Song said.
'If you look at our team, only three players of the 26 have played at a World Cup before. This is a new generation of players. There is everything still left to play for. We have not lost hope.
'The mistakes that were made today will not be made again in the next game (against Serbia on Monday). In football, anything is possible.
'We believe in this dream. We have come here with a mission to accomplish. I am a competitor.'
![Cameroon were the better side in the first half but fell to a much improved Swiss performance after half time](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/24/13/64903629-11465983-image-a-56_1669298273495.jpg)
Cameroon were the better side in the first half but fell to a much improved Swiss performance after half time
Most watched Sport videos
- Giants fans burn quarterback Daniel Jones' jersey after loss
- Montenegro fans create distraction from football with fireworks
- Las Vegas Raiders fan body slams a woman during brawl
- Awkward moment footy great can't pronounce NRL player's name
- Johnny Gaudreau's wife Meredith announces she is pregnant
- Moment Miami Dolphin's Tyreek Hill is arrested by police
- Jason Kelce bares all with ex-Eagles teammate in revealing beer ad
- Shocking bodycam of Tyreek Hill arrest released by Miami-Dade PD
- Woman exposes NRL boyfriend for leaving her for another
- Ireland fans mock Queen's death aiming chants at England fans
- John Hunt makes a poignant return to the commentary box at Brighton
- Tyreek Hill speeds by police before cops aggressively pull him over