Andre Onana: Chronicling the Crazy 24 Hours for United Goalie After Missing Cameroon’s AFCON Opener

• Andre Onana endured a tough 24 hours in the build-up to Cameroon's first game
• Despite arriving in Cote d'Ivoire, albeit late, Onana failed to make the squad
• In his absence, the Indomitable Lions were held to a 1-1 draw by Guinea

Abidjan- Côte d’Ivoire. Andre Onana, whose performances at Manchester United have sparked varied opinions, finally arrived in the AFCON host nation on Monday, January 15.

With concerns about potentially losing his place as the first-choice goalkeeper, Onana was spotted at Cameroon's AFCON 2023 Group C opener but was not part of the matchday squad.

The former Ajax goalkeeper is set to start for the Indomitable Lions in the group-stage showdown against Senegal on Friday, January 19, having missed his country's opening game against Guinea, which concluded in a 1-1 draw.

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Sports Brief captures Onana's activities in the last 24 hours leading up to Cameroon's initial AFCON match.

Ships in 2 goals vs Spurs

Onana's primary objective in staying with Manchester United was to assist the Red Devils in their fixture load in the FA Cup and Premier League, especially against Tottenham Hotspur.

Despite United managing to score twice through Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford, they faced challenges in maintaining the lead, conceding two goals in the process.

The first goal, scored by Richarlison de Andrade, did not place much blame on the former Ajax Amsterdam goalkeeper.

However, there were opinions that Onana might have had an opportunity to intervene in the second equaliser by Rodrigo Bentacur.

It was suggested that Onana could have made a move as the shot found the net from the near post, which he appeared to have covered. Nonetheless, credit must be given to Bentacur for the powerful nature of the shot.

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Jets off to Ivory Coast in private jet

Andre Onana boarded a private jet to join Cameroon's AFCON campaign after playing for Manchester United on Sunday, January 14, as reported by the Mirror.

The goalkeeper postponed his departure to extend his time in goal for the club.

He eventually arrived in Cote d'Ivoire for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, January 15, landing at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Airport. However, his travel arrangements were disrupted.

Flight for game delayed

The Yamoussoukro Airport was shrouded in fog at the time Onana landed in Cote d'Ivoire, rendering it unsafe for plane landings.

According to information from MEN via Sports Vibes, the foggy conditions at Yamoussoukro Airport, where Cameroon is based for the AFCON, led to the decision to avoid air travel and instead opted to travel by road.

The driving distance between Abidjan and Yamoussoukro is 235 km, with an estimated travel time of approximately 2 hours and 26 minutes by car.

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Makes 150-mile journey by car

Facing a race against time to play Cameroon's opening game of the Africa Cup of Nations after his private jet was blocked due to bad weather, Onana had to make the journey to the match venue by road.

The report further indicated that Onana made the journey to the stadium by car. The journey from the airport to the match venue reportedly took just under three hours.

Not named in matchday squad for AFCON opener

As expected, after a crazy 24 hours leading up to Cameroon's AFCON opening game against Guinea, coach Rigobert Song opted to leave the Manchester United goalkeeper out of his matchday squad.

Despite not being named in the squad for the Guinea conquest, the 27-year-old shot-stopper was spotted at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro.

He was spotted in the company of African football legend El-Hadji Diouf, who seems to be advising the player on his decisions.

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Interestingly, Onana's cousin Fabrice Ondoa manned the post for the Indomitable Lions, who clawed from a goal down to share the spoils with the Syli National of Guinea.

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Cameroon slammed for failing to beat Guinea

In Onana's absence, Sports Brief highlighted that Cameroon faced a frustrating 1-1 draw against 10-man Guinea in their opening match of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Despite holding a numerical advantage, the Indomitable Lions couldn't capitalise on the situation. They encountered difficulties breaking down Guinea's defence and relied on ineffective crossing tactics into the box.

The outcome has drawn criticism from fans who found Rigobert Song's team underwhelming against the Syli National.