Andre Onana: Manchester United Fans Divided in Opinion After Goalie’s Performance vs Senegal

• Andre Onana’s first AFCON game ended in a 3-1 defeat to Senegal
• The Man United goalie came under fire on social media after the game
• Some fans, however, believe he is not entirely to blame

Another day, another wave of criticism towards Andre Onana.

There is no end in sight to the back clash Onana is receiving, as the Manchester United goalkeeper conceded three goals against Senegal on Friday, January 19.

Having made a U-turn on international retirement in 2023, the 27-year-old repaired his relationship with coach Rigobert Song and was re-integrated back into the team.

He, however reported late to AFCON, as he was overly determined to maximize on his club games before leaving for international duty. His last game for Manchester United was a 2-2 draw against Tottenham last Saturday.

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Onana missed Cameroon’s opener, a 1-1 draw against the 10 men of Guinea, but was in the starting XI on Friday when the Indomitable Lions took on defending champions Senegal.

Onana concedes 3 vs Senegal

In truth, Cameroon were second best for most of the game on Friday, as the Teranga Lions ran out comfortable 3-1 winners.

The opening goal came from Marseille winger Ismaila Sarr in the first half, as Al Shabab’s Habib Diallo doubled their advantage after the break.

Cameroon restored hope by halving the deficit in the 83rd minute through Nantes defender Jean-Charles Castelletto, but Senegal superstar Sadio Mane put the result beyond doubt with a calm finish in injury time.

After the game, questions were typically raised over Onana’s capabilities after another match that saw him ship in more than two goals.

Focus was particularly brought on Sadio Mane’s goal, with sections of fans claiming Onana should have done much better.

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However, another faction was adamant the goalkeeper was being judged too harshly since the defence had a part to play in not comprehensively marking Sadio Mane.

Here are some fan reactions:

@Okoliemeka7:

"Anywhere Onana goes he tries to achieve his goals"

@HeshComps:

"Guys pay close attention to Onana's feet on this. The worst place a keeper can be caught when a shot is coming in is on his heels."

@markgoldbridge

"Said it numerous times. Onana's upper body is like a bodybuilder compared to most modern keepers. It makes him slow getting down for low shots."

@yawerlone90

"His positioning and reactions are very dodgy…He’s an upgrade in passing to De Gea but a downgrade in all other areas"

@CFCHorpe_:

"He makes simple saves look so hard."

@aouteas:

"I do not see Onana’s fault in that first goal really , he was blocked by players and the ball was hella fast so please enough with the cooking."

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@osc4christ:

"Poor defence nothing more. Not Onana's fault."

@Casual_H3R0:

"Let’s see all the armchair critics come on to ridicule the goal he conceded against Mane. The ones that have never played a game in their life or they would know it was just a good shot & not Onana’s fault."

Can Cameroon qualify for the last 16?

Cameroon’s hopes for qualifying for the knockout stages of the 2023 AFCON are out of their hands.

Guinea’s 1-0 win over Gambia in the other Group C game took them to second place with four points, three ahead of Cameroon.

The Indomitable Lions’ only hope is Senegal beats Guinea, and they will have to comprehensively beat Gambia in their last group game.

Onana gives free-kick advice in viral moment

Sports Brief also reported on a viral incident that saw Onana attempt to give free kick advice to his teammate during the clash against Senegal.

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Georges Nkoudou was preparing to deliver a cross when Onana ran up to him and whispered something in his ear.

The resulting free-kick harmlessly went out for a goal kick.