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André Onana Manchester United’s exit to the Africa Cup of Nations has taken a new twist after the Cameroonian goalkeeper’s private jet was diverted due to fog and he missed the opening match against Guinea.
Onana played in United’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham at Old Trafford on Sunday and then headed straight to Liverpool John Lennon Airport to catch a late evening flight to Ivory Coast.
However, foggy conditions prevented him from landing in Yamoussoukro – where Cameroon kicked off their Group C campaign on Monday – and he had to divert to Abidjan.
The 27-year-old then completed the final 240 kilometers of his 8,000 kilometer journey to the Stade Charles Konan Banny, arriving three hours before the 5pm kick-off.
Onana already knew that Fabrice Ondoa would start in goal against Guinea, but Devis Epassy and Simon Ngapandouetnbu were appointed as the two replacement goalkeepers on the Cameroonian bench.
Andre Onana smiled as he took a flight to AFCON after Manchester United’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham
United finished their match against Spurs at around 6.30pm on Sunday and Cameroon will play Guinea against Guinea on Monday at 5pm.
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Onana’s involvement in AFCON has been shrouded in mystery for weeks, with United appealing to Cameroon to let him stay well past the January 1 deadline so he could play against Wigan in the FA Cup and Spurs in the Premier League.
Cameroon agreed because the player had officially retired from international football when United signed him from Inter Milan for £47.2 million in the summer and subsequently reversed his decision.
Onana could miss up to four games for United if Rigobert Song’s side go all the way to the final on February 11 – or none if they bow out in the group stages.
The former Ajax goalkeeper has come forward despite concerns that his feud with Cameroon Football Federation president Samuel Eto’o, which led to Onana’s expulsion from his country’s World Cup camp in Qatar 14 months ago, could be renewed could flare up in Ivory Coast.