Andre Onana vs Samuel Eto’o: How Football Federation President and Keeper Went From Friends to Foes

• Samuel Eto'o previously praised Andre Onana as one of the best goalkeepers in the world
• Onana revealed that he had a good relationship with Eto'o and that they spoke often before
• Onana and Eto'o are no longer on speaking terms and Eto'o dropped the player from the squad

The war of words between Andre Onana and Samuel Eto'o continues.

The Cameroonian goalkeeper and the country's Football Federation President were once good friends, but now are foes.

As noted by The Mirror, the duo were embroiled in another verbal row before Cameroon's final group game against The Gambia.

According to the publication, Onana was upset that he was dropped for the crucial fixture, which Cameroon went on to win 3-2. With their latest verbal spat taking centre stage, Sports Brief looks at the relationship between the pair and where it all went wrong.

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Eto'o suggested Onana join Inter Milan

On July 1st, 2022, Onana moved to one of Europe's big five leagues when he joined Inter Milan.

Speaking about his move to the Italian giants, he admitted that Eto'o played a big part in his decision to move to the club, Sempre Inter reported.

He also mentioned that he had a good relationship with Eto'o, something that has since soured.

“I have a fantastic relationship with Eto’o, and we even played together at San Siro. We’ve talked about Inter on several occasions and he always spoke very highly of this club and told me that Inter would be perfect for me given the way I play," Onana said.

Eto'o describes Onana as among the best

A legend of Cameroonian football, Eto'o once described Onana as one of the best keepers in the world.

Eto'o made the comments ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, FIFA reported.

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"He is one of the three best goalkeepers in the world. In fact, for me he might be the best of them all," Eto'o said.

Onana and Eto'o fall out

Problems between the two then seemed to start at the FIFA World Cup.

As reported by talkSPORT, Onana had a falling out with coach Rigobert Song. Eto'o tried to mediate talks, but things did not improve, and Onana was sent home for 'disciplinary reasons.' The relationship soured between the pair, and they are no longer on speaking terms.

Onana then retired from international football, but made a u-turn on his decision and was recalled to the side.

It is now reported that he no longer has issues with Song, but his beef with Eto’o is the reason he isn’t a guaranteed starter in the national side.

Eto’o is understood to have made the decision to have Fabrice Ondoa in the starting lineup against The Gambia, as he and Onana are no longer on speaking terms.

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Onana breaks social media silence

Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana broke his social media silence when he shared a post online moments after his side qualified for the knockouts of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Cameroon secured qualification for the round of 16 with a 3-2 win over The Gambia in their final group game of the tournament in Ivory Coast, Sports Brief reported.

Onana missed the first game of the tournament after arriving late to the team’s camp, then conceded three goals in the second game, before being benched for the final game.