Onana Left Out of Cameroon AFCON Squad
Andre Onana has been left out of Cameroon’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
In Assistant Coach David Pagou’s 28-man squad for the upcoming AFCON in Morocco, which begins on 21 December, is missing several key names.
They include goalkeeper Onana, team captain Vincent Aboubakar, Napoli midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and defender Michael Ngadeu.
While Anguissa has been injured, no reason has been given for the other omissions.
Onana, who has 59 caps, is the most high-profile omission from Cameroon’s Afcon squad.
But it is perhaps not a complete surprise given his form at Manchester United before being loaned to Turkish side Trabzonspor in September, as well as his recent history at major tournaments.
Not only was he sent home early from Qatar 2022, he also lost his place in the starting line-up at the 2023 Afcon after delaying his arrival at the tournament in order to play an extra game for United.
Having been left out of the Indomitable Lions’ first group match against Guinea as a result, he returned for the 3-1 defeat by Senegal – a game in which he was arguably at fault for the opening goal.
Fabrice Ondoa was then preferred for the team’s victory against The Gambia and defeat by Nigeria in the last 16.
Onana’s loan move to Trabzonspor did allow him to regain his position as Cameroon’s number one under Brys, and he started last month’s play-off defeat to DR Congo.
But with Brys gone, there is no place for the 29-year-old in a squad containing four goalkeepers.
Onana’s Old Trafford team-mate Bryan Mbeumo is included alongside Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, but there is no place for Wolves full-back Jackson Tchatchoua, who also started the DR Congo game.
The Indomitable Lions will undoubtedly miss the experience of Serie A winner Anguissa, who picked up a hamstring injury last month and has chosen to prioritise his recovery at Napoli.
Without several of their established stars, Cameroon have a tricky draw to navigate in Morocco.
They face holders Ivory Coast, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Gabon and Mozambique in Group F.
Source: BBC
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