The Manchester United goalkeeper travelled 5,000 miles in less than 24 hours to make Cameroon’s opening Africa Cup of Nations match – only to be left out of the squad.
I don’t know who at Cameroon has it in for Onana, but he was clearly given assurances that he would start against Guinea on Monday. Then coach Rigobert Song left him out of the squad entirely.
Onana was spotted by journalists venting about the situation at El Hadji Diou. The keeper reportedly asked: “If I wasn’t going to play or make the team, then why did I come here on a private jet?”
It is also worth noting that Onana was given permission to stay with United longer to take on Tottenham, granted he showed up for their first game on time, which meant he followed instructions.
In an interview with Canal+, Onana left his frustrations known by saying (via The Telegraph): “I have a lot to say but I will not say it here because we are in competition. Let me continue to be criticised, I am used to it. I do what is good for my country.”
However, former Togo international and Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor believes Onana has shown disrespect towards Cameroon. Speaking to Sport News Africa (via AllezLesLions), he said: “He [Onana] did not respect Cameroon. I was a player like him, and even being the most important player in my selection, I never acted in this way [arriving on the day of the match]. The fact that this situation is happening shows that there is a problem, perhaps even within the federation. He risks losing big, because he has alienated the Cameroonian supporters, as well as many African supporters and undoubtedly certain members of the team.”
Adebayor is talking a load of waffle if you ask me, and it sounds like there are a few critics really out to get Onana. It doesn’t help that he has had a rocky start to life at Old Trafford but I hope he can show better form following the AFCON.
It is believed Onana already knew that Fabrice Ondoa would be starting in goal against Guinea, but Devis Epassy and Simon Ngapandouetnbu were named as the two substitute goalkeepers on the Cameroon bench for the 1-1 draw.
Cameroon are back in action on Friday when they take on group leaders Senegal at 5pm.
