‘I have a lot to say’ - Andre Onana responds to criticism after Man Utd keeper left out of AFCON opener

Andre Onana has responded to the criticism he has received since Cameroon’s opening game at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Indomitable Lions drew 1-1 with Guinea on Monday night, but Onana was not not included in the matchday squad, with Fabrice Ondoa starting between the sticks instead. Onana delayed his departure so he could play in Manchester United’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, and immediately jumped on a flight to take him to the Ivory Coast.

But after flying over 5,000 miles, the plane had to be diverted from Yamoussoukro to Abidjan, meaning Onana faced a 150-mile drive to arrive in time for the game. But the 27-year-old then discovered he had been left out of the matchday squad and was caught on camera airing his frustrations to former Liverpool and Bolton Wanderers forward El Hadji Diouf.

Onana has defended his actions and the decision to delay his departure to Ivory Coast, claiming that selecting between his club and international side is like ‘choosing between my father and mother’.

“I have a lot to say but I will not say it here because we are in competition,' the ex-Inter Milan and Ajax goalkeeper told Canal Plus.

“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.”

Among those to criticise Onana was ex-Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor. “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],” Adebayor told Sky Sports Africa. 

“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.”

Onana has endured a fraught relationship with the Cameroon national team and has previously fallen out with manager Rigobert Song, and federation president Samuel Eto'o. United’s no.24 was sent home early from the 2022 World Cup as a result of a disagreement with Song, and prior to the Africa Cup of Nations it was not clear whether he would meet up with the squad.