Tag: Onana

Cameroon have been hit by two major injury blows, and face a possible third before today’s  World Cup playoff against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Veteran striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and in-form midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa have been ruled out of the match in Rabat, where Cameroon are looking to keep alive their World Cup hopes.

Goalkeeper Andre Onana is also a doubt after suffering an ankle injury, football federation officials added.

Choupo-Moting has suffered a knee sprain while Zambo Anguissa pulled out of Tuesday’s training session with a hamstring injury. The midfielder, who turns 30 on Sunday, has scored four goals for Napoli in Serie A this season.

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Cameroon are participating in a playoff tournament for the four best runners-up across the nine African World Cup qualifying groups, which concluded their fixtures last month.

This week’s mini-tournament offers the possibility of a 10^th  representative for the continent at next year’s World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the U.S.

If Cameroon win today , they would progress to a final in Rabat on Sunday against either Gabon or Nigeria to determine the African side that advances to the intercontinental playoff in March, where the last places for the 48-team World Cup will be determined.

Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions have competed in eight previous World Cups – more than any other African nation.

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana completed a loan move to Turkish side Trabzonspor on Thursday, the Premier League club said.

Onana’s move had been on the cards since the club acquired Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp on last week’s transfer deadline day.

.Lammens’ 18.2 million pounds ($24.58 million) signing left United with four goalkeepers, and while the club said they were fine carrying that many, the struggling Onana’s future had already been in doubt.

Turkey international Altay Bayindir started all three of United’s Premier League games this season, while the 29-year-old Onana has only played once, in United’s shocking second-round League Cup loss to fourth-tier Grimsby Town in a penalty shootout. Onana was at fault for Grimsby’s two goals.

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Onana was signed from Inter Milan for 47.2m pounds in 2023, and his inconsistency has made him a target for scathing criticism ever since.

He was United’s number one last season, but a hamstring injury kept him out of the club’s pre-season games.

Turkey’s transfer window does not close until Friday, and there is anticipation Onana, who is on international duty with Cameroon, could make his debut against Fenerbahce on Sunday.

Aston Villa have signed midfielder Amadou Onana from Everton in a £50m deal.

The 22-year-old played every minute of Belgium’s Euro 2024 campaign and now has the opportunity to represent Villa in the new season’s Champions League.

Onana joined Everton from Lille for £33m in 2022 and made 72 appearances for the Toffees, scoring four goals.

Read Also: Adebayor slams Onana for reporting late for Cameroon

He was linked with a move to Arsenal in 2023, and a host of top clubs were reportedly keen this summer.

Villa boss Unai Emery had been in the market for a new defensive midfielder after the club sold Douglas Luiz to Juventus for £42.35m in June.

Emmanuel Adebayor said  Manchester United star Andre Onana has ‘alienated’ Cameroon fans and his international teammates at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Cameroon drew 1-1 with Guinea in their AFCON opener on Monday as Onana watched the game from the sidelines after linking up late with his national side.

Onana has faced criticism over the decision with former Cameroon star Sebastien Bassong accusing the United goalkeeper of ‘disrespecting’ his country.

While Adebayor does not feel Onana has been disrespectful, he has warned the 27-year-old that his decisions will have a negative impact on Cameroon’s players and supporters.

“He [Onana] did not respect Cameroon,” Adebayor told Sport News Africa. “I was a player like him, and even being the most important player in my selection, I never acted in this way [arriving on the day of the match].

“The fact that this situation is happening shows that there is a problem, perhaps even within the federation.

“He risks losing big, because he has alienated the Cameroonian supporters, as well as many African supporters and undoubtedly certain members of the team.”

It is reported that Onana only agreed to be a part of the Cameroonian squad following pressure from the country’s president and that he still has a very frosty relationship with the head of the Cameroon FA, Samuel Eto’o.

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Onana had retired from international duty last year following a fall-out with manager Rigobert Song at the Qatar World Cup but returned in September.

Speaking after Cameroon’s 1-1 draw against Guinea, Onana said: “I have a lot to say but I won’t say it here because we are in competition.

“The most important thing is sacred union. We are here to win. I ask the supporters to support us in good times and bad.

 “I’m one of the leaders so I take my responsibilities and that’s why I’m here. I don’t want people to criticise the youngest. Let people continue to criticise me, I’m used to it, I do what is good for my country.

 “It’s like choosing between my father and my mother, but my country comes first, that’s why I’m here. We’re together. I am here to represent my country, my continent. It is a huge honour for me to be here with my country.”