- Andre Onana arrived in Ivory Coast ahead of Cameroon’s AFCON opener
- The goalkeeper was still left out of the squad for the 1-1 draw against Guinea
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Andre Onana has been criticized after missing Cameroon’s opening match at the African Cup of Nations after opting to play for Manchester United.
Onana had undertaken an 8,000 kilometer journey in a bid to line up for Cameroon’s opening match in the tournament against Guinea.
The goalkeeper won his race against time after featuring in Man United’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham less than 24 hours earlier, but was left out of the Indomitable Lions squad.
The 27-year-old has spoken out about the criticism he received for delaying his arrival at the tournament to play for Man United.
Onana compared the question of whether he had to choose between playing for Man United and Cameroon to choosing between his parents.
Andre Onana claims he has ‘a lot to say’ after criticism over his late arrival from Man United
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 left for AFCON on Monday after Man United’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham
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“I have a lot to say, but I won’t say it here because we are competing with each other,” Onana told Canal Plus.
‘Let me keep receiving criticism, I’m used to it.
‘I do what is good for my country. It’s like I have to choose 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.’
Footage before the match showed Onana involved in a conversation with former Senegal star El Hadji Diouf, with reports claim the latter was forced to intervene to calm the goalkeeper after being left out of the squad completely.
“If I wasn’t going to play or make the team, why did I come here on a private jet?” Onana reportedly shouted as tempers boiled over.
Onana then endured a nightmare journey go away to Liverpool John Lennon Airport will take a late evening flight to Ivory Coast on Sunday after Man United’s draw against Tottenham.
Due to the foggy conditions, he could not land in Yamoussoukro – where Cameroon kicked off the Group C campaign on Monday – and he had to divert to Abidjan.
Onana claimed his club and country situation was like choosing between his parents
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 named as the two replacement goalkeepers on the Cameroon bench for the 1-1 draw.
Onana has had a fraught relationship with Cameroon boss Rigobert Song and football federation president Samuel Eto’o.
The former Ajax goalkeeper was sent home from the World Cup camp in Qatar fourteen months ago after an alleged argument with Song about his goalkeeping style.
Onana announced his international retirement following his expulsion, before reversing the decision last year, allowing him to play at AFCON.
Song downplayed the significance of Onana being left out of the squad for the match.
‘It makes sense, he arrived at four in the morning. How do you want him to play?’ Song said and added, “He is part of the group.”
Five-time winners Cameroon were held to a 1-1 draw by Guinea in the opening match of the tournament.
Onana is expected to start Cameroon’s crucial group stage match against holders Senegal on Friday.