AFCON 2023: Andre Onana Breaks Silence After Missing Cameroon’s Game vs Guinea

• Andre Onana missed Cameroon's 2023 AFCON opener against Guinea
• The Manchester United goalkeeper just recently arrived from England
• The 27-year-old was not in the matchday squad in Cameroon's draw against Guinea

The omission of Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana dominated the build-up to Cameroon's 2023 Africa Cup of Nations opener against Guinea.

The Indomitable Lions produced an underwhelming performance to draw 1-1 against 10-man Guinea, and fans got to hear what Onana had to say after the match.

Onana was in goal for Manchester United in their frustrating 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur, and a day later, he had landed in Ivory Coast for Cameroon's opener.

However, he wasn't on the matchday squad, and that got the fans talking. After the match, a journalist caught up with the former Ajax goalkeeper had a lot to say.

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“I have a lot of things to say but I won't say it here because we are in competition. The most important thing is sacred union. We are here to win #AFCON2023. I ask the supporters to support us in good times and bad […] I am one of the leaders, so I take my responsibilities and that is why I am here," via Allez Les Lions.

The 27-year-old dismissed the criticism that has come his way in the last few months.

"I don't want people to criticize the youngest. Let people continue to criticize me, I'm used to it, I do what is good for my country. It's like choosing between my father and my mother, but my country comes first, that's why I'm here. We're together.”

It remains to be seen if he will start in goal for Cameroon in their huge showdown against defending champions Senegal on Friday, January 19.

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Cameroon failed to 10-man Guinea to the sword despite having a one-man advantage for the entire second half. They could not convert the golden opportunities they created in the second half, per CAF.

Onana chats with El Hadji Diouf

At the Charles Konan Banny Stadium, where Cameroon was playing, Onana was spotted having a serious chat with two-time African Footballer of the Year El Hadji Diouf, as Sports Brief reported earlier.

It is unclear what the two were talking about, but the Senegalese legend was the one saying some words to Onana.

Onana has had a difficult start at Manchester United, and his relationship with Cameroon football authorities is sketchy. He reversed his decision to retire after he was sent home during the 2022 World Cup.

Cameroon held by Guinea

Cameroon were held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Guinea in their Group C opener.

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Guinea took the lead but were reduced to ten men after captain Francois Kamano was shown a red card for his challenge on Cameroon's Frank Magri.

Syli National took the lead through Mohamed Bayo early in the second half, but their captain was sent off late in the same half following a reckless challenge.

Mohamed Bayo opened the scoring after 10 minutes, while Cameroon evened matter just after the second half, as Sports Brief reported earlier.