Andrea Onana admits he has a “lot to say” about missing Cameroon’s AFCON opener due to a late exit from Man United and has shrugged off any criticism.
The goalkeeper played for United in their 2-2 draw against Tottenham on Sunday before getting a private jet to Cote d’Ivoire for the Africa Cup of Nations hours later.
The 27-year-old had hoped to play for Cameroon in their tournament opener against Guinea the following day but fellow stopper Fabrice Ondoa started in the 1-1 draw instead off the back of his late arrival.
After having to be calmed down when he learned manager Rigobert Song was not going to start him, the United man now had his say on the matter.
He told Canal Plus: “I have a lot to say but I will not say it here because we are in competition. Let me continue to be criticised, I am 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 are together. We are here to win [the tournament].”
Onana has struggled at times following his big-money move from Inter Milan last summer. His performances have been criticised on occasion and this latest episode only adds to his unfortunate past six months or so.
However, if he regains his starting spot, he could be a big asset for Cameroon as they seek to win AFCON for the first time since 2017.
Onana will hope to be in between the sticks for Cameroon’s next group stage clash against Senegal on Friday January 19, before they take on Gambia next Tuesday. They still have a good shot of reaching the knockout stages of the competition but they may need to beat Senegal to do it.