‘It’s better to be a starter’ – Cameroon coach Kameni backs Andre Onana’s Trabzonspor move after Man United struggles

Cameroon goalkeeping coach Carlos Kameni has thrown his support behind compatriot Andre Onana’s loan move from Manchester United to Turkish side Trabzonspor, describing the switch as the right step for the 29-year-old goalkeeper to revive his career.

Onana endured a turbulent spell at Old Trafford, where he faced heavy criticism last season and played only sparingly at the start of the current campaign.

Onana’s debut for Trabzonspor on Sunday underlined both the challenge and opportunity of his new chapter.

The former Inter Milan and Ajax star made an early error against Fenerbahce but recovered strongly to produce a string of saves that earned him the man-of-the-match award despite his team’s defeat.

Kameni, who won more than 70 caps for Cameroon and now oversees the national team’s goalkeepers, told Africa Foot he had advised Onana to seek regular action.

“It’s a good choice. Andre was struggling at Manchester United. Last season, he was heavily criticised, and since the start of the season, he’d barely played (one cup match), and everyone, including him, understood that he was likely to spend a lot of time on the bench or in the stands,” Kameni said.

“I told him he was right. It’s a good choice. It’s better to be a starter at a very good club in a good league than a substitute at a big club in a big league, right?

“In Turkey, he’ll certainly be watched, because he’s a very good goalkeeper, but I think he’ll be under a little less pressure than at Manchester United.”

Asked if Onana could use Trabzonspor as a launch pad back to one of Europe’s elite, Kameni was unequivocal: “Andre Onana is very professional, he remains a reliable player, and if he has a good season in Turkey, he’ll be in demand next summer.”