Andre Onana Excluded from Cameroon’s AFCON Squad: Major Blow for Man Utd Goalkeeper
Cameroonian goalkeeper Andre Onana has experienced another setback in what has been a difficult period, as he has been omitted from the national team selection for the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
The 29-year-old has struggled significantly throughout the 2025-26 campaign.
He initially lost his starting role at Manchester United and subsequently secured a temporary transfer to Turkish club Trabzonspor in September, intended to last for the duration of the season.
There was considerable surprise and speculation on Monday following Cameroon’s announcement of their 28-man team for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled to begin on Sunday, January 21st with a match between host nation Morocco and Comoros.
The inclusion of four goalkeepers didn’t overshadow the major surprise: the exclusion of Onana from the Indomitable Lions’ selection.
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However, some familiar faces did make the cut. Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo will be representing his country, as will Brighton and Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba, a player who was the subject of intense transfer rumors linking him to Manchester United during the summer transfer window.
Former Tottenham Hotspur winger Georges-Kevin Nkoudou, currently playing for Diriyah Club in Saudi Arabia, also earned a place in the national squad.
Cameroon Announce 28-Man Squad, With Onana Left Out
The group of Cameroonian players selected to represent their nation in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
This encompasses the entire list of athletes chosen to compete for Cameroon in this prestigious continental football competition.
Goalkeepers: Devis Epassy, Simon Omossola, Simon Ngapandouetnbu, Edouard Sombang – These are the team’s shot-stoppers and net minders.
Defenders: Samuel Junior Kotto, Gerzino Nyamsi, Jean-Charles Castelletto, Nouhou Tolo, Flavien Enzo Boyomo, Nagida Mahamadou, Junior Tchamadeu, Christopher Wooh, Darlin Yongwa – This group forms the team’s rearguard, tasked with protecting the goal and thwarting opposition attacks.
Midfielders: Martin Ndzie, Carlos Baleba, Arthur Avom, Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe, Fidel Brice Ambina, Danny Namaso, Christian Bassogog, Georges-Kevin Nkoudou, Jean Junior Onana, Olivier Kemen – These players occupy the central area of the pitch, responsible for linking defense and attack, controlling the game’s tempo, and providing creative impetus.
Forwards: Bryan Mbeumo, Christian Kofane, Frank Magri, Karl Etta Eyong, Patrick Soko – This is the attacking line, featuring players dedicated to scoring goals and leading the team’s offensive efforts. They are the primary threats in the opposition’s final third.
Following a day filled with significant happenings, the Cameroon Football Federation, headed by prominent former player Samuel Eto’o, dismissed head coach Marc Brys concurrently with the announcement of the national team roster.
The Indomitable Lions, who have triumphed in the Africa Cup of Nations five times, have appointed David Pagou as the new manager, replacing Brys.
They are scheduled to compete against Gabon in their first match in just three weeks (December 24th). Cameroon will also compete against Ivory Coast (December 28th) and Mozambique (December 31st) during the group stage.
Andre Onana was anticipated to be included in Cameroon’s squad. However, his omission represents a recent setback during a poor campaign.
Having been replaced in the Manchester United first team by Altay Bayindir for the initial three Premier League matches due to a hamstring problem suffered in pre-season, the previous Inter Milan goalkeeper committed two errors as the team was defeated 12-11 on penalties by lower-league side Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup on August 27th.
Onana, who has represented Cameroon 53 times, was subsequently permitted to depart Manchester United for Turkish team Trabzonspor in early September, after the signing of Senne Lammens from Belgian club Royal Antwerp.
Lammens, age 23, has impressed since joining the Red Devils, solidifying his position as the club’s primary goalkeeper ahead of Bayindir.
Amorim Indicates Onana Had Difficulty Managing the Pressure
Following Andre Onana’s move to Trabzonspor, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim implied that the goalkeeper had difficulty adjusting to the intense pressures of playing for such a prestigious club with a long history of success.
Back in September, Amorim explained that while Onana had demonstrated his exceptional talent during his time at Inter Milan, the challenges of representing Manchester United proved to be overwhelming.
He noted that even seasoned players can struggle under the relentless scrutiny and pressure that comes with the territory. Amorim suggested that Onana needed a fresh start, acknowledging that pinpointing the exact reasons for his struggles was complex.
He alluded to a combination of performance issues, unfortunate moments, and the overall pressure impacting both the player and the team. The decision to change goalkeepers stemmed from this assessment.
Amorim expressed his well wishes for Onana, praising his work ethic and dedication to supporting his teammates.
He emphasized that even with exceptional talent, a change of scenery can be crucial for a player to rediscover their best form. This feeling was shared by both the club and Onana himself.
Looking ahead, Lammens is anticipated to be in the starting lineup for Manchester United’s upcoming league match against West Ham on Thursday.
Simultaneously, Onana is potentially set to participate in Trabzonspor’s Turkish Cup game against Vanspor FK on Wednesday, where he’ll aim to build upon his record of three clean sheets in ten appearances for his new team.
