Andre Onana Agrees To Return To International Football

Manchester United shot stopper, Andre Onana has announced his return to international football after his retirement in December.

In a statement posted on his social media platforms, the 27-year-old gave a nod to his call-up by Coach Song Bahanag Rigobert for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Burundi on September 12.

It is reported that the former Inter Milan goalkeeper had doubts about his return after he was named alongside Devis Epassy and Fabrice Ondoa as the Indomitable Lions’ goalkeepers.

In his statement he said despite “injustice and manipulation” in his career in recent months, he chooses to represent his country for whom he has an “unwavering love and attachment”.

“Faced with manipulation, lies and abuse of power, I choose to remain faithful to my ideal, proudly representing a country that deserves our sincere commitment. This is the time to unite, to work in harmony for our common good: Cameroon.”

He highlighted, “My desire to represent my country has never wavered since my youth, and this aspiration remains an inseparable part of my identity. Nothing and no one can shake this conviction. I respond to my nation’s call with unwavering certainty, aware that my return is not only to honour my dream but also to respond to the expectation and support of Cameroonians, who deserve a national team determined to shine.”

The indomitable Lions will play against Burundi in Garoua on September 12 in the AFCON qualifiers.

Onana retired from international football in December 2022 after a fallout with head coach Song during the World Cup in Qatar as a result of tactical disagreements, reports say.

At the time, Coach Song said Onana had asked not to play in Cameroon’s second group match against Serbia. He was therefore slapped with a suspension which infuriated him to abandon the team for Italy.

He later said his “story with the Cameroonian national team has come to an end,” adding that “Players come and go, names are fleeting, but Cameroon comes before any player or person.

“Cameroon remains eternal, as does my love for the national team and for our people, who have always supported us no matter how difficult the moment was.”

He received his first call-up to the national team in 2016 and has since had 34 caps.