Man United keeper Onana not in Cameroon squad despite grueling trip to make Africa Cup game on time

By: Ciarán Fahey, The Associated Press Posted: 12:39 PM CST Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 Last Modified: 2:33 PM CST Monday, Jan. 15, 2024

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YAMOUSSOUKRO, Ivory Coast (AP) — After a grueling effort to reach the Africa Cup of Nations on time, Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana failed to make the Cameroon squad for the five-time champions’ opening game.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/01/2024 (1004 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Onana was omitted from coach Rigobert Song’s squad for the 1-1 draw against Guinea on Monday, despite the player’s rush from England to reach the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro on time.

“It’s logical. He arrived at 4 o’clock in the morning. How do you want him to play?” Song said after the game. The coach added: “He’s part of the group.”

FILE - Manchester United's goalkeeper Andre Onana during the English Premier League soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester United at City ground in Nottingham, England, Dec. 30, 2023. After a grueling effort to make the Africa Cup of Nations on time, Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana failed to make the Cameroon squad for the five-time champion’s opening game. Onana was omitted from coach Rigobert Song’s squad for the match against Guinea on Monday Jan. 15, 2024, despite the player’s rush from England to reach the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro on time. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira, File)

Onana had played for United on Sunday, in a 2-2 draw with visiting Tottenham in the Premier League, then flew to Abidjan in Ivory Coast. From there the player had reported difficulties getting another flight to Yamoussoukro, forcing him to make the journey by road instead.

Such a trip would normally take 2 1/2 hours, but heavy traffic in Abidjan and traffic restrictions imposed by police for Africa Cup security measures mean most journeys during the tournament face delays.

Onana quit the national team after he was sent home from the 2022 World Cup following a dispute with Song, but returned after apparently winning back the coach’s favor.