Andre Onana Selected in Cameroon’s AFCON Squad: Time for Back Up Man Utd Goalkeeper To Shine

• Andre Onana will be heading to the Africa Cup of Nations in January
• The Manchester United goalkeeper will be in goal for the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon
• It is now time for Altay Bayindir to prove his mettle at the Old Trafford

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has been selected in Cameroon's squad for the forthcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The tournament kicks off in Ivory Coast on January 13, and there are mixed reactions over Onana's imminent departure from the Old Trafford.

The continental showpiece was initially scheduled to be held in June this year, but the prospect of disruptive rain in the host nation, Ivory Coast, meant that it was pushed back to the beginning of 2024.

The Red Devils will also lose other key players to the tournament, including Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco), Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia) and Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast), Stretty News reports.

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Erik ten Hag is expected to give Turkish goalkeeper Altay Bayindir a chance to play between the sticks in Onana's absence.

The manager has yet to hand the goalkeeper his United debut since he signed on deadline day in the summer, meaning the goalkeeper will now be thrown into the deep end for the time Onana is away.

The 25-year-old Bayindir could feature in as many as four Premier League matches: Tottenham Hotspur (H), Wolverhampton Wanderers (A), West Ham United (H) and Aston Villa (A).

The manager will also need to find a way to manage the absences of the outfield trio fairly easily – barring any further injuries to the midfield or frontline.

Onana, Eto'o still at loggerheads

Sports Brief earlier reported that Cameroon’s quest to win a fifth Africa Cup of Nations is in disarray as Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana and Fecafoot president Samuel Eto’o are still at loggerheads.

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The pair have not seen eye to eye since both parties fell out during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, which led to Onana’s premature retirement from the national team.

The rift between Onana and Eto’o could derail Cameroon’s unity heading to the 2023 AFCON, which could be tantamount to destroying their hopes of winning the competition.