Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana was reportedly calmed down by former Senegal and Liverpool striker El Hadji Diouf after being left out of Cameroon’s team for their opening Africa Cup of Nations encounter. The Indomitable Lions drew 1-1 with 10-man Guinea on Monday, using their backup goalkeeper.
Fabrice Ondoa deputised for Onana, who was said to be upset after he had flown to the match in a private jet shortly after playing 90 minutes in United’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham on Sunday. The 27-year-old had expected to play in his country’s opening match, but was left out of the squad entirely by boss Rigobert Song.
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He had a 5,000-mile travel to Ivory Coast, but he was sighted with Diouf, who had to calm the goalie down, before local reports said Onana yelled: “If I wasn’t going to play or make the team, then why did I come here on a private jet?”
Onana chose to stay in Manchester rather than join the national squad, therefore she missed out on their preparations for the competition. He instead played against Tottenham Hotspur before flying to Liverpool John Lennon Airport for a late trip to Ivory Coast.
He arrived three hours before kick-off but that was not enough time for Song to determine that Onana was ready to be named in the squad.
Song played down the decision and insisted that Onana was not going to be involved after landing in Ivory Coast during the early hours of the morning. “It’s logical, he arrived at 4 o’clock in the morning. How do you want him to play?” Song said. “He’s part of the group.”
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