SUMMARY
- Andre Onana has made a U-turn on his stance for his national team just days before the start of AFCON.
- Earlier reports revealed that Andre Onana was set to play two games within 24 hours.
Andre Onana has made a U-turn on his stance for his national team just days before the start of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The goalkeeper for Cameroon has chosen Manchester United over his country for the upcoming fixtures.
Earlier reports revealed that Andre Onana was set to play two games within 24 hours to help Manchester United in a tough Premier League fixture. Cameroon will play Guinea in their first match of the AFCON campaign on January 15, and Onana was set to join them after playing against Tottenham in the Premier League on January 14.
However, there is a change of plan. iSport claims that Onana will miss the AFCON opener after the recent talks with Manchester United and Cameroon FA. The goalkeeper will fly to the Ivory Coast on the same schedule. However, it is unlikely that he will make the selection for the squad on time.
🚨 Andre Onana has chosen to miss Cameroon’s first match of the AFCON, as his priority is #mufc. [@iPaperSport] pic.twitter.com/XhS5eScjfY
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) January 9, 2024
The news has put Onana in a negative light with the soccer community. Fans believe that he should prioritize his country over his club. Other key players in the Premier League like Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Son Heung-min of Tottenham are putting their country above the club by travelling to AFCON and Asian Cup respectively.
This news has drawn some negative comments for Onana. Comments like “Then why does he not just stay in Manchester and not go to AFCON”? “Embarrassment to African Football,” “I dislike Onana, he can’t even impress me anymore,” “He should just leave. We need to witnes Bayindir too,” “He is terrified of losing his place,” and “He’s disrespecting Africa for club football,” echoed the sentiments of the fans.
Andre Onana will be available to face Senegal in AFCON
Onana will only miss the first match against Cameroon. The Manchester United goalkeeper will be available to face Senegal on January 19. Only if he remains fit in the next nine days. Cameroon will face Gambia in their final group-stage match on January 23.
Cameroon Federation is showing real flexibility with their star goalkeeper who has come out of retirement to play in this edition of AFCON. Back in 2022, Onana retired from international format after a dispute with Fecafoot president, Samuel Eto’o. The issues between the parties have been resolved as the underperforming keeper tries to balance between two boats.
🚨 Andre Onana has chosen to miss Cameroon’s first match of the AFCON, as his priority is #mufc. [@iPaperSport] pic.twitter.com/XhS5eScjfY
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) January 9, 2024
Andre Onana has struggled in his first six months at Manchester United. He has been responsible for several goals in the UCL with silly errors. It can be argued that Onana was the biggest factor in Manchester United’s elimination from UCL.
He has been under immense pressure from fans, which is why he is going the extra mile to help the club out in an important Premier League fixture. Some can even argue that Onana is obsessed with securing his first place in the starting lineup. The only thing that can save Onana from more scrutiny from fans is improvement in overall performance.