More than six weeks after the conclusion of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Fabrice Ondoa, the Cameroonian goalkeeper, has candidly addressed the controversies surrounding his teammate André Onana’s delayed arrival at the tournament. Ondoa, who stepped in for Onana during the competition, expressed his concerns and called for transparency regarding the incident.
With Cameroon absent from the recent FIFA international break and still without a coach following Rigobert Song’s departure in February, Ondoa took the opportunity to shed light on the events surrounding Onana’s late arrival at the AFCON 2023.
While Onana, now back at Manchester United, briefly returned to Cameroon for a friendly match with friends, Ondoa remained in France, facing challenges with Nîmes where he has been sidelined for several weeks.
In an extensive interview with Foot Mercato, Ondoa reflected on the controversies that surrounded the Cameroon squad during the AFCON, particularly Onana’s delayed arrival.
Despite being selected for the tournament, Onana arrived just hours before Cameroon’s opening match against Guinea, raising eyebrows among fans and pundits alike.
Ondoa did not shy away from addressing the issue, stating, “You have to ask yourself the right questions.
Who gave him permission? Who allowed a player to arrive early in the morning before a competition to play?” He emphasized the need for transparency and accountability within the team.
“The group really needs to know what happened with André Onana,” Ondoa remarked. “These are things to be eradicated subsequently because it is totally unthinkable and these are things to be resolved in the long term.”
As Cameroon prepares for upcoming fixtures, including World Cup qualifiers in June, Ondoa stressed the importance of addressing such issues to avoid further controversies.
While acknowledging his close relationship with Onana, Ondoa underscored the need for clarity and resolution. “We need to solve this problem,” he stated, emphasizing the significance of maintaining professionalism and avoiding off-field distractions.
As Cameroonian football undergoes potential changes with the appointment of a new coach, Ondoa’s remarks signal a call for accountability and transparency within the national team setup, setting the stage for potential reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future.
🚨 André Onana va disputer la rencontre entre Manchester United et Tottenham le 14 janvier prochain et être disponible avec le Cameroun en jouant dès le lendemain pour les siens face à la Guinée, lors de la CAN 2023. 😳🇨🇲
C’est un accord conclu entre les différentes parties. 🤝… pic.twitter.com/V0hZKCO0Z8
— Instant Foot ⚽️ (@lnstantFoot) January 3, 2024
