Emmanuel Adebayor, crowned the best African player in 2008, has voiced his concerns regarding the conduct of André Onana, the Cameroonian goalkeeper, who joined the Indomitable Lions for the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023.
The controversy arose as Onana expressed a desire to participate in the Premier League match against Tottenham on January 14 before departing for Ivory Coast, where his national team faced Guinea on January 15.
Speaking on Sport News Africa, Emmanuel Adebayor, the former Togolese international, delivered a critical assessment of Onana’s actions, highlighting what he perceives as a lack of respect for his country.
“He did not respect Cameroon. I was a player like him, and even though I was the most important player in my team, I never acted in this way (arrived on the day of the match, editor’s note).
The fact that this situation is happening shows that there is a problem, perhaps even within the federation,” emphasized the former Manchester City striker.
The comments from Adebayor shed light on the broader implications of player conduct and their commitment to national duties.
The Togolese football icon stressed the importance of maintaining a sense of responsibility, irrespective of a player’s individual stature within their respective teams.
In a bid to prepare for the upcoming match against Senegal, André Onana engaged in his first training session with the Indomitable Lions on Wednesday.
The goalkeeper’s late arrival has sparked debates about the commitment of players to national responsibilities and the need for greater adherence to established protocols within football federations.
