In an unexpected turn of events, André Onana, the talented goalkeeper from Manchester United, found himself sidelined for Cameroon's opening match in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Despite his eagerness to join the squad and a swift journey from England, coach Rigobert Song opted not to include him in the lineup for the clash against Guinea, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
The decision was based on Onana's late arrival at the Charles Konan Banny stadium in Yamoussoukro. Coach Song justified the omission, stating, "That makes sense. He arrived at 4 a.m. How do you want him to play?" The coach emphasized that Onana is still an integral part of the team, indicating that his exclusion was a result of the challenging circumstances surrounding his journey.
The sequence of events leading to Onana's absence began with his participation in Manchester United's game against Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday, ending in a 2-2 draw. Subsequently, Onana embarked on a journey to Abidjan in the Ivory Coast and encountered difficulties securing a timely flight to Yamoussoukro. Faced with limited options, he made the decision to travel by road, a journey that would typically take two and a half hours.
However, Onana's road trip was beset by challenges, including heavy traffic in Abidjan and police-imposed restrictions on movement due to security measures for CAN 2023. These factors contributed to delays, preventing the goalkeeper from arriving in time for the crucial match against Guinea.
It's worth noting that Onana's relationship with coach Rigobert Song had previously soured, leading to his exclusion from the national team after the 2022 World Cup. However, the goalkeeper made a return to the squad, seemingly having regained the coach's favor.
As Cameroon continues its campaign in AFCON 2023, the absence of Onana in the opening match raises questions about the team's goalkeeping strategy and whether the goalkeeper will play a pivotal role in upcoming fixtures.