Andre Onana will play for Cameroon against Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Manchester United goalkeeper is starting his first game of the AFCON after missing his country’s opening game after a delay in his travel plans.
Onana is back in the starting line-up for the nation’s second group match against group leaders Senegal (kick-off at 5pm) and it remains to be seen how many games he will miss for United. That will depend on how far Cameroon go in the competition.
⚽️🔥 #MATCHDAY
Voici les XI #LionsIndomptables qui commenceront le match. #SENEGAL 🇸🇳 🆚 🇨🇲 #CAMEROUN
📆 19/01/2024
⏰ 18H00
🏟️ Stade Charles Konan Banny
📍 Yamoussoukro#SENCMR | #WECANMAKEIT | #CANTOTALENERGIES2023 | #CMRMAU | #GOLIONS | #ALLEZLESLIONS | #LETSROARTOGETHER pic.twitter.com/O98TMwNGDJ— Les Lions Indomptables Officiel (@LIndomptables) January 19, 2024
The best possible scenario would be Cameroon getting knocked out of the group stages because Onana will be back in time for the Premier League clash against Wolves on Thursday 1 February, meaning he will only miss the FA Cup fourth round clash against Newport County.
However, there was some confusion before Cameroon’s opening game since Onana made it to the stadium three hours prior to kick-off, but still wasn’t even named on the bench.
“I have a lot to say but I will not say it here because we are in competition,” Onana told Canal Plus after the match, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.
“Let me continue to be criticised, I am used to it. I do what is good for my country. It’s like choosing 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 [the tournament].”
Onana was expected to be part of the matchday squad despite featuring for United in the 2-2 draw against Tottenham just a day earlier.
Onana went through the hassle of flying from Manchester to the Ivory Coast, however, fog saw his flight redirected from Yamoussoukro to Abidjan.
Cameroon drew their first match 1-1 with Guinea, with Fabrice Ondoa starting between the sticks.
Now they’re looking for their first win in the competition with Onana back in the team.
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