- Andre Onana was reinstated to the Cameroon national team nine months after he unexpectedly departed the group during the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
- Onana will play for Cameroon in the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burundi
- Coach Song denied reports of any problems with Onana, “There was never a problem with Andre.”
Andre Onana was reinstated to the Cameroon national team nine months after he unexpectedly departed the group during the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Onana will play for Cameroon in the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burundi, according to the team’s coach Rigobert Song. On September 12, the match is scheduled to take place in Garoua. The Indomitable Lions just need a draw to guarantee their place in the January finals in Ivory Coast.
Andre Onana. Photo/Fox Sports
During the World Cup in Qatar, Onana, a 27-year-old, had a fight with Coach Song regarding training techniques and strategies. After their opening group match against Switzerland in November, this argument arose. The Cameroon Football Federation reprimanded Onana and expelled him after this event. He hasn’t played for his nation since then after announcing that he was retiring from international football.
Cameroon lost to Switzerland in their opening encounter and drew with Serbia in their second match, which led to their elimination from the World Cup in the group stages. In the last group game, they managed to shock Brazil, which served as a consolation victory for them.
“There was never a problem with Andre”
Andre Onana with his national team. Photo/The Independent
Coach Song denied reports of any problems with Onana during a press conference that was recently held in Yaounde. Onana’s position as the top goalie available, he claimed, made his inclusion in the team only logical.
The door has always been open to Andre, and we are glad that he is returning to the group. “There was never a problem with Andre,” stated Song.
Onana excelled for Inter Milan in 2022–23 and was a key contributor to their journey to the Champions League final the previous year. When he took David de Gea’s place at the club in the summer transfer window, he was subsequently reunited with Erik ten Hag.
The goalkeeper for United, who cost £43 million to acquire from Inter Milan this summer, appeared to have a falling out with Cameroon’s coach, but it now appears the African country is considering bringing the goalie back.
Erik ten Hag will be devastated by this since United will have to start preparing for his departure in January because of the impending Africa Cup of Nations.
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The goalkeeper, a former Ajax player, has perhaps been United’s finest acquisition this summer since he has consistently demonstrated his talent.
Erik ten Hag has had to navigate a lot of obstacles at the beginning of this season. It hasn’t been easy for ten Hag, whether it’s been United’s difficulties selling some of their highest-paid players, the Mason Greenwood controversy, or the increasing number of injuries.
It is undoubtedly not ideal for the former Ajax boss to be without his first-choice keeper for the better part of a month during the hectic January season.
The aim is that United will have a fresh number 2 to rely upon during this time, and Onana’s departure won’t be felt too severely.
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