Andre Onana has been named in the starting line-up for Cameroon in their Africa Cup of Nations match against Senegal this afternoon.
The two sides face each other in Group C of the tournament, in what is a huge match for Onana’s side, with Cameroon drawing their first match of the tournament against 10-man Guinea.
Defeat would put pressure on them to win their final match against Gambia or face almost certain elimination in the group stage.
Onana missed the draw as Guinea had remained at club Manchester United to play matches against Wigan and Tottenham.
However, a diverted flight meant he didn’t arrive in Ivory Coast in time to line up for the match, and he could end up regretting his decision if the result doesn’t go his way tonight.
Andre Onana will start for Cameroon tonight in the match against Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations
Onana, right, was involved in a conversation with ex-Senegal star El Hadji Diouf after being left out of Cameroon’s squad for their opening match of the tournament
Onana flew to AFCON after Man United’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham, but his flight was diverted
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Onana was expected to be on the bench for Cameroon’s Group C draw but he only reached the stadium three hours before kick-off after the private jet flying him from Manchester to Ivory Coast was diverted from Yamoussoukro to Abidjan due to fog.
It felt like an anti-climax after weeks of speculation over whether Onana would leave United to take part in AFCON, followed by the 27-year-old’s 5,000-mile sprint after playing Sunday’s Premier League match against Tottenham.
Fabrice Ondoa, who replaced Onana in the opening match and plays for Ligue 2 side Nîmes, is on the bench for today’s match.
Also starting for Cameroon are former Fulham player Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, ex-Tottenham winger Georges-Kevin N’Koudou and goalscorer Frank Magri on the first matchday.
Meanwhile, newlywed Sadio Mane (right) will once again take charge for Senegal after their 3-0 opening win
For Senegal, newlywed Sadio Mane starts to shine again in their opening match against Gambia.
Former Chelsea duo Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly will start again for Senegal, with current Blue Nicolas Jackson back on the bench.
The defending champions won 3-0 in their opening match of the tournament on Monday.