AFCON Qualifiers: Onana commits to only one game for Cameroon
Returnee Cameroon international André Onana has only committed for one game, with further talks expected if the Indomitable lions qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Onana retired from international duty in December after leaving midway through the World Cup campaign following a disagreement with head coach Rigobert Song.
He has agreed to return for the AFCON qualifier against Burundi on Sept. 12 after an intervention initiated by the Cameroon government, but sources have told ESPN that he has not yet committed to playing at the tournament — which begins in Ivory Coast in January even if the Indomitable Lions qualify.
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It’s a boost for Manchester United, who face losing their first-choice goalkeeper for up to a month if Onana decides to play.
AFCON starts on Jan. 13 with the final scheduled for Feb. 11, a spell during which United have Premier League games against Tottenham, Wolves, West Ham and Aston Villa.
If Onana takes part, it would leave United manager Erik ten Hag to choose between summer signing Altay Bayindir and 37-year-old Tom Heaton as Onana’s replacement.
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Sources have told ESPN that Onana and his representatives informed United of his decision to play against Burundi during a meeting at Carrington on Saturday.
The club were told during negotiations to sign the 27-year-old from Inter in the summer that he had retired from internationals, but sources have told ESPN that Ten Hag is sympathetic towards his reasons for believing he has to play against Burundi.