AFCON: Andre Onana axed from Cameroon squad

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has been left out of Cameroon’s matchday squad for their opening Africa Cup of Nations fixture against Guinea on Monday.

Onana has faced criticism after he delayed meeting up with his Cameroon teammates ahead of the tournament in order to continue playing for United.

The 27-year-old, who was signed in a £47.2 million deal from Inter last summer, was in goal for United’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham at Old Trafford on Sunday.

He then boarded a private jet to the Ivory Coast later on Sunday evening, however, his plane was forced to land in Abidjan due to fog in Yamoussoukro, the city where Cameroon’s AFCON opener is being played.

The adverse weather conditions in Yamoussoukro left Onana stranded around 150 miles away with just hours before kick off.

The United goalkeeper made it to the Charles Konan Banny Stadium before the match started but was left out of Cameroon’s matchday squad entirely.

Fabrice Ondoa, who was part of Cameroon’s AFCON-winning squad in 2017 and is Onana’s cousin, starts the tournament in goal for Rigobert Song’s side.

Speaking before the tournament, former Premier League defender and Cameroon international, Sebastien Bassong, accused Onana of disrespecting the national side as he opted to continue playing for United.

‘It’s out of order from both sides,’ Bassong told the BBC.

‘It’s disrespectful from Manchester United to request Onana to do such a thing and it’s really low from Onana to even consider it.

‘It sends such a bad message for not only Cameroon, but for the respect that people will have for AFCON and the way they should treat us.

‘If we can’t even respect ourselves, how can we expect other people to treat us any different? For me, Andre Onana is shooting us and himself in the foot.

‘If I was in the squad I wouldn’t be having any of that. You can’t play a game the day before and think you can just fly out to the continent and play another game.

‘Just the thought of it drives me crazy, I’m so disappointed.

‘For me, you’ve got to teach him a lesson. I like Andre, I always have his back but when things like this happen, the pride of the country and the continent is way above an individual person.

‘For me he should stay home and get punished for that.’