By Daniel Edu
Manchester United’s goalkeeper, Andre Onana, has made a triumphant return from his international hiatus as he’s been reinstated to the Cameroon national team roster.
He’s set to be a key player for the Cameroonian squad in their final African Cup of Nations qualifying match scheduled for September.
Onana’s reintegration into the national team comes after a suspension from Cameroon’s Football Federation that saw him sidelined during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He had been excluded from the team for over nine months.
His suspension, attributed to “disciplinary reasons,” likely stemming from a disagreement with Cameroon coach Rigobert Song, had prompted Onana to declare his retirement from international football.
However, in a surprising twist, the former Ajax player is now poised to participate in the decisive Group C qualifier against Burundi on September 12. This match will determine which team advances to the African Cup of Nations, hosted by Ivory Coast from January to February 2024.
While Namibia currently tops the qualifying group by a single point, they completed their matches after Group C was reduced to three teams due to Kenya’s expulsion, with two teams progressing.
Cameroon, holding the second spot on goal difference, will face off against Burundi in the crucial match, hosted by Cameroon. The team will be heavily reliant on Andre Onana’s performance to secure the necessary victory and secure a spot in the upcoming AFCON tournament.
Notably, the 27-year-old Cameroonian goalkeeper had joined Manchester United in July, stepping into the role previously held by David De Gea, who had been the club’s primary goalkeeper for 12 years at Old Trafford.
