Manchester United’s new goalkeeper Andre Onana has been recalled to Cameroon’s squad some nine months after he walked out on the team during the World Cup in Qatar.
Onana was named on Tuesday by coach Rigobert Song in the squad for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burundi in Garoua on Sept. 12, where the Indomitable Lions need only a draw to guarantee a place at January’s finals in the Ivory Coast.
Indomitable Lions head coach Rigobert Bahanag Song included the Manchester United goalkeeper in his 25-man squad ahead of their AFCON 2023 qualifier against Burundi.
Onana, 27, left the Cameroon squad in Qatar last November after their opening group game against Switzerland following a dispute with Song over tactics and training.
The Cameroon Football Federation said he was suspended and had been sent home and he has not played for the country since, having announced his retirement from international football.
But on Tuesday at a press conference in Yaounde, Song denied there had been a problem with Onana and said it was natural that as the best available goalkeeper he was in the squad.
“But every story, however beautiful it might be, has its end, and my story with the Cameroonian national team has come to an end. Players come and go, names are fleeting, but Cameroon comes before any player or name,” part of the statement read.
“Cameroon remains eternal, and so does my love for the national team and for our people who have always supported us no matter how difficult the moment was.”
“My feelings will never change; my Cameroonian heart will continue to beat, and wherever I go, I will always fight to lift the flag of Cameroon as high as possible,” Onana added then.
The former Inter Milan and Ajax goalkeeper played in Cameroon’s opening FIFA World Cup 1-0 loss to Switzerland. Still, he was dropped for the next two matches after a reported disagreement with Song over tactics.
The country’s federation (FECAFOOT) said at the time he was suspended for “disciplinary reasons”. Onana won 34 caps after making his debut in 2016, but it’s believed the Cameroonian government has influenced Onana’s return to the team.
Rigobert Song’s charges, who are second in Group C on four points, level with third-placed Burundi in the three nations group topped by Namibia on five points after five games played, will be hoping to seal the deal with a win.
The full Summoned Cameroon squad.
Goalkeeper. Devis Epassy, Andre Onana.
Defenders. Darlin Yongwa, Christopher Wooh, Nouhou Tolo, Malcom Bokele, Oumar Gonzalez, Enzo Tchato, Olivier Mbaizo, Harld Moukoudi.
Midfielders. Andre Zombo Aguessa, Frankois Mughe, Gael Ondoua, Oum Gouet, Olivier Ntcham, Olivier Kemen, Elliot Njongoue.
Strikers. Karl Toko Ekambi, Nicolas Brice Moumi Ngamaleu, Bryan Mbeumo, Clinton Njie, Vicent Aboubakar, Eric Maxim Choup Moting.
Manager. Rigobert Song Bahanag
