Questioning Respect: Debate Surrounding Onana's Deservedness of Cameroon AFCON Role

Andre Onana has experienced a significant year, marked by Inter's unexpected journey to the 2023 Champions League final, thanks in part to his exceptional distribution skills from the goalkeeper position. This outstanding performance made him the most sought-after goalkeeper on the continent.

Manchester United emerged as the victors in the pursuit of Onana, initially seen as a potentially transformative signing following David de Gea's turbulent final season at Old Trafford. United manager Erik ten Hag, having previously worked with Onana at Ajax, believed he possessed the necessary qualities to elevate the team to new heights.

However, the reunion has yet to yield positive results. Onana has faced challenges adapting to life in Manchester, coinciding with a decline in performance from the entire team. As a result, United currently sits in seventh place in the Premier League after 21 games, and has been eliminated from the Champions League and Carabao Cup. Onana himself has been responsible for several embarrassing mistakes during this period.

The 27-year-old goalkeeper's performance has been consistently poor in various aspects of his game, including basic handling, positioning, directing the defense, and dealing with crosses. Surprisingly, Onana has failed to acknowledge these glaring deficiencies and has been wildly inconsistent even with the ball at his feet.

In a recent interview with Sky Sports, he dismissed the notion that his form has declined, stating that such issues are temporary. However, with Manchester United's 2023-24 season effectively in ruins, this arrogant attitude is now posing a threat to Cameroon's Africa Cup of Nations campaign, which has yet to fully kick off.

'Why did I come here on a private jet?'

Following his inclusion in Cameroon's final 27-man squad for the AFCON, Onana made an official request to delay his call-up. He wished to participate in Manchester United's FA Cup third-round match against Wigan Athletic on January 8 and their Premier League game against Tottenham six days later, as reported by ESPN.

Cameroon granted Onana permission to remain with his club for a few extra days. However, after the Tottenham match, he embarked on a journey spanning 5,000 miles to reach the Ivory Coast before Cameroon's opening game against Guinea. Unfortunately, his private jet was diverted 150 miles south to Abidjan due to fog, resulting in a 16-hour delay. The jet eventually landed at 6 am on Monday. Onana then completed a long drive to Yamoussoukro, arriving just three hours before Cameroon's scheduled match time.

Despite not participating in the country's pre-tournament preparations, Onana seemed to assume he would still be a guaranteed starter. Thus, it came as a shock when Fabrice Ondoa was chosen by coach Rigobert Song to start in the game against Guinea. Onana appeared visibly emotional during a conversation with El Hadji Diouf regarding the situation. According to The Telegraph, he even questioned why he had taken a private jet if he wasn't going to play or make the team.

Everyone loves El Hadji  #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/yjwqkmheSV

— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 15, 2024

During the match at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium, the Indomitable Lions were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw while Onana remained on the sidelines. After the game, he expressed his dissatisfaction with his manager and the Cameroon Football Federation, although he refrained from sharing the specifics. Speaking to Canal Plus, he mentioned that he had a lot to say but chose not to disclose it at that moment since they were still in a competitive environment. He acknowledged that criticism is something he is accustomed to and affirmed his commitment to doing what he believes is beneficial for his country.

'Alienated' his own fans

Starting Onana in the match following his exhausting journey would not have been in the best interest of the team. It is likely that fatigue would have affected his concentration levels as a goalkeeper, even if he didn't openly admit it.

Onana's decision to delay his call-up and then demand a place in the team was seen as selfish by many. While he claimed that his commitment to the country was paramount, some supporters questioned his true dedication to the collective cause. The actions were criticized by former Tottenham defender Sebastien Bassong, who believed it sent a negative message and called for Onana to be punished.

Echoing this sentiment, former Arsenal and Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor expressed disappointment in Onana's behavior, suggesting that the goalkeeper's reputation in his homeland has been significantly damaged. Adebayor emphasized the importance of respecting the nation, its pride, and the Africa Cup of Nations, and stated that Onana's actions have alienated not only Cameroonian supporters but also many African fans and potentially members of the team itself.

World Cup disgrace

This is not the first time that Onana has shown a lack of respect towards the Cameroon national team and its manager, Rigobert Song. During Cameroon's first group game in the 2022 World Cup against Switzerland, Onana had a tournament-leading 61 touches as he demanded the ball frequently to initiate attacks. However, Song preferred a more traditional style of goalkeeping, given the team's technical limitations, and instructed Onana to adjust his approach.

Onana refused to comply with Song's instructions, leading to his omission from Cameroon's second match against Serbia. This disagreement sparked a heated argument between the player and the manager, resulting in Onana being sent home from the tournament. Song later revealed the details of the dispute in a leaked video, expressing his frustration with Onana's risky decision-making during games.

Song emphasized that Onana's removal from the squad was for the benefit of the team, and he felt that his honor in Cameroon had been compromised. Devis Epassy replaced Onana in the game against Serbia, where Cameroon fought back from a two-goal deficit to secure a 3-3 draw. Onana took one final swipe at Song as he headed to the airport, stating that he was not allowed to help Cameroon achieve its goals and that he had made efforts to find solutions to the situation but had encountered unwillingness from the other side.

Retirement reversal

Onana's actions during Cameroon's World Cup campaign in Qatar had a detrimental effect on the team and their unity. Despite their victory against Brazil in the final group game, the team spirit had been lacking in their opening match against Switzerland. Epassy, who replaced Onana in goal, may not have had the same reputation but demonstrated a commitment to the team's best interests, resulting in a clean sheet against Brazil.

Rather than showing gratitude to the team that had supported him during his return from a doping ban, Onana made the tournament about himself. This trend continued after the World Cup when he announced his retirement from international football, emphasizing his love for Cameroon but failing to recognize the irony of his words.

However, eight months later, Song included Onana in the squad for the AFCON qualifying match against Burundi, suggesting that the goalkeeper had done something to rectify the breakdown in his relationship with the manager. While Song expressed satisfaction with Onana's return, it is evident that the goalkeeper's subsequent actions have not shown genuine remorse, suggesting that his egotistical nature may once again negatively impact Cameroon.

What's next?

Onana's history with the Cameroon national team dates back to 2017 when he declined an invitation to his first AFCON in order to establish himself at Ajax. Unfortunately, Cameroon went on to win the tournament without him.

Cameroon will need to raise their performance levels significantly to replicate their previous success. Their upcoming match against reigning champions Senegal is crucial, and a draw would be seen as a positive result. However, a defeat would increase the pressure on the team.

Manager Rigobert Song may be tempted to include Onana in the starting lineup for this important game. While Onana appeared to be in good spirits during training, it is not yet certain if he will be chosen over Ondoa. Song stated that the decision will depend on Onana's form.

Onana should consider himself fortunate to still be a part of the Cameroon squad, as he has not displayed the characteristics of a top-level professional or goalkeeper this season, both for his club and country. His performances for Manchester United have been inconsistent, and his volatile nature when things don't go his way is well-known to Song.

Regardless of the outcome against Senegal, Song may come to regret giving Onana a second chance.

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