Andre Onana has received a call-up to Cameroon’s national squad, marking his return after a hiatus of nine months since he exited the team during the 2022 Fifa World Cup held in Qatar.
Coach Rigobert Song, on Tuesday, revealed the inclusion of Onana in the lineup for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying match against Burundi, scheduled for September 12 in Garoua.
The Indomitable Lions merely require a draw in this fixture to secure their berth in the January finals set to be held in Cote d’Ivoire.
The 27-year-old new Manchester United shot-stopper caused a stir when he exited the Cameroon squad last November following their opening group game against Switzerland. This exit had been triggered by a dispute with Song, revolving around tactical and training matters.
Following the incident, the Cameroon Football Federation declared Onana suspended at the time and subsequently sent him back home.
Andre Onana: Cameroon No 1 ‘keeper dismissed from World Cup squad
Since then, he has refrained from representing his nation, even going so far as to announce his retirement from international football.
However, during a press conference in Yaounde on Tuesday, Coach Song refuted any prior issues with Onana and welcomed his return to the squad, attributing his presence to his status as the most competent available goalkeeper.
Song remarked, “There was never a problem with Andre, the door has always been open to him and we are happy he is coming back to join the group.”
Cameroon’s gesture of reintegrating Onana suggests a renewed effort towards unity and collective goals as they continue their journey in the qualifying campaign for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Liste des Lions Indomptables sélectionnés pour le match de la 6ème journée des éliminatoires de la CAN TotalEnergies Côte d'Ivoire 2023.#CAMEROUN 🇨🇲 🆚 🇧🇮 #BURUNDI #CMRBUR| #GOLIONS | #ALLEZLESLIONS | #LETSROARTOGETHER | #INDOMPTABLES | #CAPASSEOUCACASSE pic.twitter.com/TPSs28La9B
— Fecafoot-Officiel (@FecafootOfficie) August 29, 2023
