André Onana, Manchester United goalkeeper and player, was not selected by Cameroon for their first match of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Despite rushing to arrive on time at the Charles Konan Banny stadium in Yamoussoukro, Onana was not picked by coach Rigobert Song for the 1-1 draw against Guinea.
“That’s understandable. He arrived at 4 a.m. How do you want him to play?” Song said after the match. The coach added: “He’s part of the group.”
Onana had played for Manchester United the day before, in a 2-2 draw against Tottenham in the Premier League, then flew to Abidjan in the Ivory Coast. From there, the player expressed his difficulties in finding another flight to get to Yamoussoukro, which forced him to make the journey by road.
Such a journey normally takes two and a half hours, but heavy traffic in Abidjan and restrictions imposed by police for CAN 2023 security measures are causing delays in all travel during the tournament.
Onana had left the national team after being sent home from the 2022 World Cup following a dispute with Song, but returned after apparently regaining the coach’s favor.