16 January 2024 , 16:36
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Andre Onana has come out fighting after being criticised for arriving late to the Africa Cup of Nations because he chose to stay with Manchester United.
Unlike his Cameroon team-mates, Onana opted out of the team’s preparations for AFCON and instead stayed to play in United’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday. He still intended to arrive in time to feature for Cameroon in their tournament opener against Guinea on Monday, but a nightmare 16-hour journey to Ivory Coast saw him arrive late.
Manager Rigobert Song ultimately decided not to even include Onana in the squad for Cameroon’s 1-1 draw. Onana had to be calmed down by former Liverpool forward El Hadji Diouf after being left furious with the decision, which saw his cousin, Fabrice Ondoa, play in goal.
This is not the first time that Onana has been involved in controversy with the national team, having previously retired from international duty after being sent home from the Qatar World Cup by Song following a falling out. Former Cameroon international Sebastien Bassong had led the backlash against Onana’s decision to choose club over country, but the United goalkeeper was not fazed.
“I have a lot to say but I will not say it here because we are in competition,” Onana told Canal Plus on Monday night. “Let me continue to be criticised, I am used to it. I do what is good for my country. It’s like choosing between my father and my mother, but my country comes first; that’s why I’m here. We are together. We are here to win [the tournament].”
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All eyes will now be on Song’s team selection for Cameroon’s second Group C match against defending champions Senegal on Friday. Whatever happens, Onana’s late arrival has caused an unwanted distraction for the team and Bassong thinks the situation has been badly managed.
"It’s out of order from both sides,” he told the BBC World Service. “It’s a low from Onana to even consider it. It sends such a bad message, not only for Cameroon, but for the respect people will have for the Africa Cup of Nations and for the way they should treat us, the equality.
Andre Onana did not make the Cameroon team vs Guinea (Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! What do you make of the situation? Comment below.
“I like Andre, I’ll always have his back when I have to, but when things like that happen, the nation, the pride of the country and the continent is way above an individual person. For me, he should stay home and be punished.”
Song played down the controversy after the 1-1 draw with Guinea. "We all knew that [Onana wouldn't play]," he said. "We need to stick to our logic. He arrived at 4am, how do you expect him to play? He's part of the group. He joined us at 4am so he's part of the squad. There's the rest of the competition, and I'm sticking with my full squad."