Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has been named in Cameroon’s 24-man squad for their upcoming clash against Burundi in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The former Ajax and Inter Milan goalkeeper initially announced his retirement from the side in December 2022 following a rift with head coach Rigobert Song that led to him being sent back home from their Qatar World Cup squad.
The 27-year-old’s reinstatement into the team has now been confirmed following speculations around his return and a special call made from the country’s sports minister, Prof. Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, to Cameroon legend and head of their football federation (FECAFOOT), Samuel Eto’o.
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
Onana last played for the Indomitable Lions in a 1-0 defeat to Switzerland in their opening game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and has since been replaced by Saudi-based 30-year-old shotstopper Devis Epassy.
He has been named alongside regular faces like Vincent Aboubakar, Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, and Karl Toko-Ekambi.
Cameroon are currently second in group C of the AFCON qualifiers, and they face a stern challenge from the Swallows of Burundi, who are third on the table with the same points and identical goal difference between goals scored and goals against.
They will need to defeat their East African counterparts if they are to have a chance at competing at the tournament scheduled for January 2024 in Ivory Coast.
The two sides will face off on Tuesday, September 12, at the Roumde Adjia Stadium in Garoua, Cameroon.
FULL LIST OF PLAYERS
Goalkeepers: Devis Epassy, Fabrice Ondoa, Andre Onana
Midfielders: Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Francois Mughe, Gael Ondoua, Oum Gouet, Olivier Ntcham, Olivier Kemen, Elliott Njongoue
Forwards: Karl Toko-Ekambi, Nicolas Brice Moumi Ngamaleu, Bryan Mbeumo, Clinton Njie, Vincent Aboubakar, Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting
